"Red Flags." Yekaterinburg residents explained how to properly propose to a girl.

      "Red Flags." Residents of Yekaterinburg talked about how to properly propose to a woman

      September 6, 2025. In recent years the world has seen many unusual ways to propose marriage. But, as a study by the Sokolov jewelry holding found, Russians have a clear idea of how it should be — and what must be absolutely avoided.

      Photo: piqsels.com

      Tradition and equality: who should propose

      Tradition lives on: the vast majority of Russians (83%) are convinced that the man should make the first move and propose marriage. Female initiative is still rare: only 3% nationwide believe the proposal should come from the woman. Nevertheless, modernity brings changes: every third person allows exceptions, and every seventh supports equality.

      Residents of Yekaterinburg generally agree with the nationwide picture. More than half of those surveyed (52.2%) are sure that proposing marriage is the man's duty, another third (32.2%) believe that most often he should make the first move. At the same time, 12.2% of the city's residents stand for equality, and 3.5% (slightly more than the national average) are ready to see a woman as the initiator.

      Interestingly, only 28% name a specific day right at the proposal, 14% limit themselves to an approximate timeframe, and more than half (58.7%) prefer to leave the conversation about the wedding for later. Every fourth person believes that mentioning dates spoils the moment and kills the romance.

      The ring remains the main symbol of an engagement

      According to respondents, for women the most important thing in a proposal is the fact of the gesture itself. At the same time 36% of Russians cannot imagine an engagement without a ring, and 42% consider it desirable but not mandatory. Less than 20% believe that the tradition of reinforcing the intention to marry with an engagement ring is outdated.

      Russians take the choice of ring seriously. Thus, 35% would prefer a classic gold ring without stones, 27% would choose a version with a diamond or other gemstones.

      Almost a third (32%) are convinced that its cost should be at least two-thirds of the monthly income of the person making the proposal.

      But the most important thing is the atmosphere. Every third Russian is sure that without romance and attention to detail a proposal loses its charm.

      Main mistakes: drunken confession, by SMS and via "Gosuslugi"

      Equally important is how the proposal is made. Across Russia respondents are unanimous: there are "red flags" that can completely ruin the moment.

      Topping the list of no-nos was confessing while intoxicated — 42% called it unacceptable. Almost as many (39%) considered it wrong to limit oneself to an SMS or a message in a messenger.

      Inviting someone via the government services portal "Gosuslugi" also provoked distrust — nearly a quarter of survey participants were against it. Proposing immediately after a quarrel (26%) or by phone (20%) was also considered undesirable.

      Among answers unique to our region were options such as "in an overly noisy place" (1.7%), as well as a public declaration (1.7%) or a ring hidden in food (1.7%).

      Recall that recently TV host Anfisa Chekhova showed her engagement ring on social media; she was proposed to by actor and producer from Yekaterinburg Alexander Zlatopolsky. And in Yekaterinburg itself a groom ended up in a temporary detention facility for 13 days after his proposal for choosing the wrong time and place to propose.

      Seen a typo? Select the fragment and press Ctrl+Enter

      What's being discussed

      Uralweb.ru on social networks