When it comes to proposing, its the thought that counts

Those who have booked a swanky Michelin-rated restaurant or five-star trip to a romantic destination overseas to make the perfect Valentine’s Day proposal may want to look away now.

While Katie Holmes said yes to Tom Cruise at the Eiffel Tower, British women say their dream proposal would actually be at the location where they first met or kissed their partner, according to research released this week.

A survey of 1,029 UK adults from greenbee.com, the company offering leisure and financial services selected by the John Lewis Partnership, has revealed that while romantic gestures and expensive touches are appreciated, when asked to list their dream proposal scenarios, almost three-quarters of women (72 per cent) say it is the thought that counts, with the sentimental value meaning more than the money spent.

While over half the women surveyed would welcome a proposal in a romantic destination such as Paris or Venice (55 per cent) or to be wined and dined in an expensive restaurant (51 per cent), popping the question in a place with sentimental significance comes top. Seventy-two per cent named a proposal in the place where they first met their partner, had their first date or kiss, as their dream scenario. Men however are much less likely to favour this type of proposal (just 57 per cent), and are also twice as likely as women to believe this would actually be a nightmare proposal (12 per cent compared to 6 per cent).

A proposal on a special date - a birthday, important anniversary or Valentine’s Day - is also considered by women to be an ideal time for men to get down on bended knee. Fifty-seven per cent say they would love this type of proposal, compared to just 47 per cent of men. When it comes to an intimate and inexpensive proposal (at home, just the two of you), over half (56 per cent) of the women surveyed would appreciate this approach, considerably higher than men, with just 47 per cent considering this an ideal time to utter those four special words.

With the research from greenbee.com demonstrating that men really don’t need to break the bank when getting down on bended knee, it clearly begs the question - are men undervaluing the importance of the sentimental gesture because they genuinely believe women want something different? Or does the stereotypical view that men forget those all-important dates or momentous moments hold true?

However, those who have splashed the cash already and are concerned they’ve got it wrong need not worry. The research also reveals that the majority of women (72 per cent) don’t care how the proposal is made; it’s the person making it that matters most.

James Furse, Managing Director, greenbee.com said: “People may have believed that when it comes to making a proposal, an over-blown or expensive romantic gesture was all-important, however the research from greenbee.com has shown this is not necessarily the case. While everyone has their own idea on what makes for the ideal scenario, it’s clear that the sentimental value of proposing in a memory-filled location or on a meaningful date should not be under-estimated.”