Getting your boyfriend to propose can be more difficult than completing a Rubix Cube in under 30-seconds. Whether he has commitment issues or he just cannot seem to find the right time, waiting for that ring can get torturous. If you have waited patiently long enough, take a look at these ways to get him to finally pop the question.
Silent Campaign
Although you're not going to give campaign speeches, you want to give him a silent campaign to show him what a fantastic life partner you'd be. Don't crowd him or try to take away his time with friends, don't try to control him, and don't try to convince him to move in with you. Let him work at his own pace and you will find that he will fall in love with you and actually decide to propose (on his own) more quickly. If you crowd him and never leave him alone then he is going to want less of you and that's not going to make him want to get married. If he suggests moving in together before marriage, tell him that you're an old-fashioned girl and you'd like to wait until you're married (or at least engaged) – the chase will make him want you more.
Try To Be Subtle
Even though it might be hard, you should try to be subtle (at first). Men do not like to be told what to do so hinting at a proposal might make him run. You want to get the idea of marriage in his head without actually saying it, and that does not mean you should leave bridal magazines laying around. Point out that adorable couple in a restaurant that is still so in love after thirty-years of marriage, and take notice to engagement rings in the windows of stores. He will notice your subtle hints but he will appreciate that you aren't pushy – and he will think that he came up with the idea to propose by himself.
Give Him Space
If you have been together for a decent amount of time (1-2 years) and he still has not proposed, then give him some space (even though he hasn't asked for it). Go out of town with a girlfriend or become extremely busy with work or school. Talk about how you're going to renew your lease or move in with a girlfriend. Allow him to see what his life is like with less of you because that might give him a wakeup call. However, you never want to mention that your motivation is the lack of a diamond ring on your finger, let him figure that one out on his own.
Find Out His Intentions
If noting thus far has made him propose then it's time to find out what his intentions are in the relationship. If he tells you that he has no interest in getting married then it's time for you to leave because chances are he won't change his mind – or he just doesn't think that you're the right woman for him. If he tells you that he does want to get married but he is not ready then find out how long it's going to be until he will be ready. At that point it is up to you to decide if you want to wait, leave, or try some other tactics of persuasion.
Set a Relationship Expiration Date
If all else fails then it is time to set a non-engaged relationship expiration date. If you have been with your boyfriend for X-years and he has not proposed, then you need to tell him that you want out if he doesn't propose by a certain date. Once you set this date, you must be willing to actually leave him if he doesn't propose. This might sound harsh and unreasonable but sometimes a man won't get it unless he knows that you're not going to wait around forever. If you've been together for a long time and you're living together then he might have it in his head that you will stick around forever, even if there is no ring – he needs to get this idea out of his head!
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