Poppin' the question....

One of the toughest question a man has to ask is none other than...THE question. 

More often than not... we know the answer to the question.  And not quite as often... the person we're asking is half-expecting the question anyways.  Yet, it's not just the question... it's the situation, the location, the timing, the position...and of course, the accompanying hardware.

Here are some insights/advice accumulated throughout the years: (some of these are mine... most of these are from others)
-don't memorize a speech, the other person won't hear a thing when realizing what you're doing
-don't get the real deal...get a fake one in case the answer isn't what you expect
-don't do it at a restaurant cuz it's not private
-don't do it at a ballpark /jumbo tron cuz it's old hat
-pick the most romantic restaurant because she'll want everyone to see how lucky she is
-there's nothing more romantic than doing it in front of 40,000 people
-tie it to the dog's collar if she's an animal lover
-don't tell the reporter what you're gonna do after the interview cuz he'll ruin the surprise
-don't tie it to a dog...cuz the dog might run away
-get the father's blessing (not permission) cuz unknowingly... and ultimately... she's daddy's little girl and daddy is always her first prince charming
-2 months salary
-3 months salary
-one knee, not two.  two knees are for much later when you're begging for forgiveness
-pray
-make sure you have a way out... in case her answer is not what you expected... and you're in the middle of a half-time show at a basketball game dressed up as the mascot
-left hand, fourth finger if you're American
-right hand, fourth finger if you're European
-middle finger, either hand if you drive in LA
-prepare 2 speeches... be prepare to forget the Speech A and go with Speech B
-write a song.... but only if your last name is McCartney, Lennon, Harrison or Starr. And I guess Clapton.
-if you're doing it while sky diving, make sure you tie a strong knot on a strong string with a GPS locator
-flowers are a good touch, but not necessary
-lots and lots of flowers.  chicks dig floral
-don't try too hard to make it memorable/romantic... the event itself is memorable and romantic
-IKEA is actually very memorable/romantic
-you get one chance to say it....so don't stutter!
-keep it simple cuz your heart rate will be 1000 bps!
-other than her....you know her best.  you'll know what she wants.
-and if you're wrong... tough!  she's getting the hardware! tell her to suck it up!
 
And ultimately... there's no right or wrong.  It's just a question, right....? What's the worst that can happen?
 
 
(Inspired by Michael Scott -- You will be missed!)