how not to propose your crush
“Nothing says romance like secondhand embarrassment.”
At least, that’s true in my case.
You know, we all watch those fantasizing movies where the quiet boy gets the most popular girl in the class, and somewhere deep inside, we start to think, “Yeah… this is how I’m gonna propose and stuff.”
But reality? It’s a lot less cinematic and a lot more cringe.
That’s why we’re diving into this essential guide on how not to propose to your crush.
Below is a compilation of all the things I did wrong. So, seriously, don’t do any of the below.
1) Never Public
Flash mobs, school assemblies, or surprise announcements at a food court are less about love and more about ego.
If they say “no,” now everyone knows.
2) Overusing Movie Lines
Most probably, you’ll forget the things you’ve prepared and just stand there like a statue.
Unless your crush is a rom-com fanatic, quoting Bollywood won’t work.
3) Confessing via a 500-word Paragraph in a DM
Chat lacks tone, and when proposing to someone, tone matters.
Especially for Gen Z, with the attention span of a goldfish, they’ll most likely skim through the whole thing.
Start a conversation, not a dissertation.
4) Gifts That Say ‘Serial Killer’
“I made a collage of your 38 profile pictures.”
Yeah… don’t. That’s not romantic—that’s a red flag.
Personal experience speaking here: be unique, but not too unique.
If you want to show off your engineering skills, debate on Stack Overflow or flex on StackExchange—not in her DMs.
5) Love Bombing After One Interaction
“We met once. Here’s a playlist, poem, and pet name.”
Don’t do this. Give it some time. Let it flow at its own pace.
TL;DR:
Don’t make it a performance. Make it personal.
The key is simple: propose like a human, not a headline. Avoid clichés, be kind, and read the room.
If you still want to add some fun to your proposal, tryout in-love.js.