Friday 29 February 2008

DOUG R. (England)

 29 February - Leap Year!

 

On this rare day women may propose marriage to their chosen man, without any cultural backlash. 

This drastic move is traditionally made by the man. It is not acceptable behavior for a woman- except on this one special day, 29 Feb.

The date occurs only every four years. Most men should not feel threatened.

The custom seems to have started in Kildare Ireland. 

Irish legend is that a nun, St Bridget, made an ‘equal rights’ complaint to St Patrick demanding better status for women. She had her own designs on him.

He agreed grudgingly - proposals could now come from women every four years!

Today the Irish State makes a cash payment to every child born that day- to help them celebrate?

There are interesting variations on this theme of women proposing to men.

Scottish Law, supposedly introduced by Queen Margaret in 1288, stated that any woman may propose to any man- who must accept or pay a substantial fine.

Since she was 5 years old and living in Norway at the time, I suspect it is more a case of folklore than Scottish Law.

Modern Scots consider it an unlucky birthday date.

Modern Greek couples avoid marrying during leap year- 20% believing it brings bad luck.

A warning for enthusiastics, in these days of sexual equality;

Consider the acronym TWIRP. Does it mean ‘The Woman Is Required To Pay’ ? Perhaps it dealt with who will pay for a drink?

In 1928, the Savoy Hotel, London,  introduced their ‘Leap Year Cocktail’. Gin + Grand Marnier + sweet Vermouth + lemon juice.

Since you ask.

The date gives computers their own problems.  Programmes do not recognise this unusual date, so overrule or ignore it.

The Eurostar ticket system will not accept bookings for it, nor can National Rail enquiries, thetrainline.com, or Expedia.com  apparently!

The background to this confusion is man’s attempts to relate to nature.

Early attempts to fit in with Spring Equinox started in the Roman Empire days when Julius Caesar introduced his ‘Julian’ calendar in 46 BC.

Pope Gregory brought out his version in 1592, based on a 400 year cycle.

A difference between Gregorian and solar calendars, was balanced by gaining one day every four years.

The problem arises because, in theory, the Earth takes 365.256 days to orbit the Sun, but in practice the figure of 365.2422 takes account of the Earth’s tendency to wobble.

The curious name ‘Leap’ is the fault of lawyers.

English Law practice can not recognize the date 29 February.  Legal documentation has to be dated one day either side.  So that day was leapt over- legally speaking.

Finally, maybe a few personal questions are in order?

Why hasn’t he asked you? He’s had 1460 other possible days.

Will he consider your proposal an affront to his masculinity?

Are you sure he can handle the pressure?

Are you sure you can handle a no? At least you will know where you stand.

If you have doubts, I suggest you propose somewhere with a very loud background noise.

If his reaction shows more horror than pleasure, you can claim he misheard:

What you actually said was

‘My shoes are killing me, will you carry me?’      

Whatever you decide to do I wish you very best of luck. After all this is your day . So have the courage to do it now or wait another four years!

 

DOUG R. (England)

 

Published in Woman's Magazine Russian Woman Journal  www.russianwomanjournal.com -  29 February 2008

It's all about love

Your emails, replies and comments address lana@russianwomanjournal.com