I didn't even know I'd been horrible.
Years ago I and my girlfriend went on a trip to New York. We'd been dating for a long time, had moved in together and everything was going swimmingly.
It was expected by all - myself included - that inevitably we'd get married, have kids and live happily ever after.
So. We're in New York and Valentine's Day arrives.
"Here's an idea," I say, "Let's go to the top of the Empire State Building and take in the view.*
"...... Fantastic!...." she replies, looking gob-smacked, delighted and otherwise overly-enthusiastic about visiting what is after all a fairly common landmark..
So a few hours later we're enjoying the view, I'm pointing out sights (and non-sights, like "Look! That's where the World Trade Centre isn't any more!") then we leave.
And she says little.
Days later the penny drops. She'd been expecting me to get down on one knee and produce a ring.
On Valentines Day. At the top of the Empire State Building. On our New York holiday. Which does, in retrospect, seem like the logical time/place combination.
She'd even had a manicure so her hand would look perfect for the "inevitable" pics of the engagement ring she could email home.
To family and friends who were also expecting the proposal.
Basically to a lot of people I love dearly who were now disappointed in me for not doing something I hadn't even thought I was supposed to do.

* At this point every girl who hears this story says something like: "Ah, of course! She was expecting a proposal" and every guy says "Ah, of course! You were going to the Empire State Building". Venus, Mars, etc.
( difficultchild, Fri 17 Jun 2011, 2:34, 11 replies)

and every guy says "Ah, of course! You were going to the Empire State Building
to drop a penny off it & see if it kills someone."
Sorry.
I'll just be hiding up at the back of the room.
(Misery McUglywife an attention seeking sociopathic fuckstain., Fri 17 Jun 2011, 5:58, closed)

I'm not a guy but
I would think of dropping pennies in this situation. It's a stupid place to propose. What if they say no - then you have to go back down for what I presume is quite a long time together in a lift. UNCOMFORTABLE. Sounds like a stupid place to propose to me, better to do it in a park where you can run away if necessary.
( bland is bland, Fri 17 Jun 2011, 6:27, closed)

Ah hah!
I'm a bloke!
I'm a girl really, but I wouldn't have seen a proposal in there..
I must be a bit dense..
(Beer Elf Thought this was like a campfire, anyhow, on, Fri 17 Jun 2011, 6:44, closed)

Or at least in the dungeon
so that if she says "no" you can just pop the gag back in place and re-tighten the bindings.
(Misery McUglywife an attention seeking sociopathic fuckstain., Fri 17 Jun 2011, 6:59, closed)

You mean you didn't rape her holding her over the edge so she'd back onto you harder?
FAIL!
( stuj (^(^;;^)^) GO TEAM SPIDERS!(^(^;;^)^), Fri 17 Jun 2011, 8:01, closed)

They have railings, and glass,
and catch nets, and you can't really get that close to the edge.
( DukeEuphoria Comes highly reccomended, Fri 17 Jun 2011, 13:10, closed)

*Crosses Empire State Building off List Of Buildings To Commit Rape On Top Of*

( stuj (^(^;;^)^) GO TEAM SPIDERS!(^(^;;^)^), Fri 17 Jun 2011, 15:23, closed)

Not every girl.
I'd be expecting to cling onto walls for fear of height/death/etc.
( vix0r was not Matthew on, Fri 17 Jun 2011, 12:37, closed)

The best time to do it is somewhere they wont expect it. Like when watching football and bored at half time, but you need an answer before the adverts finish and the 2nd half starts, or if really brave do it at a funeral while the service is on or if not a total insensitive sod do it via txt...
(Booked_moss, Sat 18 Jun 2011, 10:13, closed)

How long had you been together?
A year or less, then she was jumping the gun. 1-2 years is hazy. 2+ years and I really don't know how you couldn't have seen that one coming. Generally I'm one to side with the unromantic, but that was so obvious it hurts my face.
(Audienda, Mon 20 Jun 2011, 16:42, closed)

"Look! That's where the World Trade Centre isn't any more! then we leave. And she says little."

I was expecting you to say she lost a friend/relly in the WTC. Tis true, us men are oblivious.
( Draconacticus Reject shampoo. Demand real poo!, Mon 20 Jun 2011, 17:12, closed)