London - A survey suggests 73 percent of British men would say yes if their other half proposed.
With 2016 being a leap year, Brighton-based group activity trip experts Red7 commissioned the survey to see if British women are planning on taking the lead and putting the age-old question to their significant other.
The survey of 2 000 people revealed that 47 percent of British women would consider reversing the traditional proposal roles and pop the question themselves - but 62 percent of women wouldn't wait until a leap year if they did decide to take the plunge and propose.
Traditionally, Leap Day (February 29) is the day that women can turn the tables and ask their partner to marry them. The tradition began in Ireland back in the 12th century, where it was believed that a balance could be achieved between the traditional roles of men and women by allowing women to propose to men every four years.
Relationship expert and life coach Keren Smedley says: “We learn most of our beliefs, habits and traditions from our parents when we're very young. We absorb this information and it becomes our internal benchmark for decision-making. A leap year proposal is a traditional story that most learn as children. It's based on the premise that men were in charge and decided who and when they wanted to marry. But, one day every four years, tradition is set aside and women can propose with men told to respond honorably to the request.
“Male and female roles have changed and women are perfectly capable of asking a man to marry them on any day of the year. What hasn't changed are our emotions and feelings, and desire for romance. Marriage has remained a symbol of commitment and love and the proposal is a significant and important part of that ritual.
“Today, it's more common for couples to have discussed their life plans together with the proposal becoming a romantic formality to confirm this joint decision. Until the leap year tradition disappears altogether, it will continue to appeal to some and give women the confidence to propose marriage.”
The survey results showed that that over half of women and 65 percent of men think the tradition of men proposing to women is old-fashioned and outdated.
Content provided by Red7 via Reuters, adapted by IOL.