Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Take the leap
|
February 29 has a definitive air about it, writes NEETI SARKAR
|
ROLE REVERSAL In a leap year
Tired of waiting for him to get down on his knee to ask you to marry him? Why not do it yourself? After all, it is believed that a woman is allowed to pop the question one day during a leap year, the day being February 29.
Going against tradition and ritual, this belief dates back to the 5th Century. It is also believed during the 13th Century in Scotland, a man who declined a proposal in a leap year was liable to pay a hefty fine!
What do the women feel about this idea of role reversal? Would they actually take the lead this year and propose marriage? Says Kanika Sharma, an entrepreneur: “This is actually a fun and good system. I am the type who doesn’t mind proposing to my man.”
“If only I had known about this practice earlier, I would have already proposed to my boyfriend four years ago!” quips Sharmila Rao, an architect. There are a few, however, who will not even dare to consider veering off the beaten track. More importantly, some men detest the very idea. According to Shekar Dass, an engineer, “Proposing is a man’s thing while patience should be every woman’s virtue.”
Apart from bizarre practices such as this, does the leap year make much of a difference to anyone? “Not really,” says Sharon Michele, an ad agent. She however has something interesting to say.
“I have a friend from Greece who waited one whole year to marry her fiancé as her community believes couples who marry during a leap year have bad luck,” she explains.
Businessman Prateek Krishnan says: “Personally, it is not the kind of day on which I would launch a new project or embark on a new mission. Maybe it is just my superstitious belief but I would still not take a chance.”
Exciting day
For those who get to celebrate their birthday once every four years, it’s is a very exciting day. Akhil Pratap, who technically turns four this year, has a great party planned up. With an air of excitement he states: “It feels great to celebrate my real, official birthday.” Given that in certain places, it is considered unlucky to be born on February 29, Akhil still doesn’t wish his birthday fell on another day. “I feel special that I don’t share my birthday with anyone I know. It feels good to know that when my classmates turn 60, I’ll still be only 15!”
Some people are also of the opinion that those born on this day possess unusual talents and traits. With all the ideas and beliefs surrounding February 29, especially that of the fairer sex being given the privilege to chase their men, guy’s get set to either accept a proposal or to dash off as quickly as possible as this is a leap year and we have many a young woman in pursuit of the bachelor!
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
