🙄 Oh Sass calm down. Pretty sure OP knows his relationship and what his potential spouse would or wouldn’t like more than we do! BTW I was part of the concert. 😉

i also think that was a very mean trick. thankfully my parents do not have your "sense of humor"

or2nh4me2: That was a pretty mean 'prank'. I'm surprised the school police officer went along with it -- one would think he has more important things on his plate.

I would sure hope the OP's 'sense of humor' doesn't make his girlfriend the butt of a joke like that . . .

You were part of the concert? You are an entertainer or musician? There was doubt as to whether she could see her own parent perform? Interesting.

Earlier in the thread, someone mentioned the needs of a narcissistic person for attention. Even giving a gift becomes about them.

Sometimes people actually do not know what the other person will like. They don't get that what they like might be a total embarrassment to someone else. This applies to spouses too.

Suze, I agree.

Google Failed Marriage Propsals. Lots of terrific ideas for public embarrassment.

I went to the concert with the girls. Stop being passive aggressive. You don’t know me. You don’t know my daughter, and you don’t know OP. You have your opinion, and I have mine. Doesn’t make me “narcissistic”.

And to tell OP to google “failed proposals”. Get over yourself.

A narcissist would choose a name that ends with 4me2.

You are totally entitled to your opinion but it is not relevant to me. I know my kids and again, I’m pretty sure OP knows whether or not his potential bride would appreciate a non-traditional proposal. May not be your cup of tea but that doesn’t make it wrong.

Ok. That’s clever.

Tough crowd.

I vote with the one on one crowd on the issue. The young lady may be under a lot of pressure just from the proposal, never mind if others are watching. My example is from when I was in college and one of our friends confided he was taking his girlfriend to a fancy restaurant to propose. We wanted to watch, so four of us got a table at the restaurant from which we could all see the action while partially screened from their view.

We could tell she was nervous, and obviously had figured out something momentous was going to happen. When he pulled the box from his pocket, opened it, and placed it in front of her, she promptly vomited on the table.

We hastily paid our bill and fled, hoping we had not been spotted.

P.S. They never did marry.

Wow, so many replies, people you are so awesome here! I did not expect to get so many insights!
Never will go for a "special way" in a restaurant , you have to take things big, that's what I will do.

@xcountry, good point, you have a right mindset, man!

@or2nh4me2, that's my man talking here! A story with your daughter is super cool, I bet she still remembers it, no need to wait for a marriage proposal in gondola to make good memories in someone's life, right?
Thank you very much for all the ideas, I share your attitude and sure your ladies are happy being with you. Keep it up!

Fodors, I still cannot believe I got so many replies here This is like a goldmine, going back here with a shovel.
Gents, ladies, thank you so much, you helped me a lot! I cannot express in words how much I appreciate everyone's feedback, you are the best!

Woo hoo!! I propose a toast - to us.