How long after dating should you consider marriage; and who should propose, the man or the woman?

[MissSunshine2]

[Berethor]

I am 38 so I don't have much time to waste, a man expected to propose but a woman can do it too, if the couple don't have sex before marriage then they likely get married sooner.

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/why_buy_the_cow_when_you_can_get_the_milk_for_free

[bowenw]

Either partner can ask when it feels right. The more time beforehand the better to ensure the infatuation stage has passed.

[bowenw]

Thank you for the MHO. 😊

[MrChinaski]

A conservative rule would be 'when you feel as though you already are married'. It took me 4 years to ask, then 12 months more to marry. But I was young.

I don't think you can really know a person until you have been living together for 12-18 months. At least I cannot. You see different behaviours -- and strengths and weaknesses of your relationship -- as life throws you different events to manage.

Maybe I'm too risk averse.

[Anonymous]

It depends situation to situation. I'd say at least a year, but I have no real firm beliefs about it. Probably still the man.

[Anonymous]

I don't know that anyone can give you an answer that is any kind of a consensus to this question. I don't think men and women view this remotely the same.

[BCRanger10]

I think the man should propose after at least six months to a year.

[exitseven]

it depends. Actually I never really proposed to my wife. We just both knew how it was going to turn out.

[Shy-boy53]

It’s a modern world we live in , so don’t think it matters who asks who these days. Tradition doesn’t come into it

[msc545]

Men should never propose or even worse. Get married. Marriage is financial suicide for men.

[jahaims]

No set time and either could ask

[Jeff51]

Few months maybe.