YOUR proposal is often one of the most special moments of your life.
But while it should be a lasting memory for the people involved, the romantic moment shouldn’t leave a lasting mark – with one couple now under fire for a disrespectful and illegal act.
Photos have now begun to circulate on Reddit, showing a proposal which took place in the Blue Mountains, in Australia.
The viral image shows a picturesque scenery – but at the bottom of the photo, you can see a heart engraved into the rock, reading, ‘’Kiri, will you marry me?”.
The furious social media poster shared disgust for the act, wondering why some thought it was okay to act this way.
The outraged Redditor said in the post: ”Another view of the etching of a proposal into rock at a protected national park.
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”Baffled by all the ‘it’s not that deep, there are thousands of rocks’ comments. Is respect for nature and the social contract all but gone?”
Fellow Reddit users agreed, claiming that the proposal was done simply to get attention – with absolutely no regard for the environment.
“This is a proposal that’s done for ‘views’ not love. They are getting attention and that they love I’m sure,” said one person.
“A person who would do that and a person who would marry someone who would do that should not procreate,” another chimed in.
“Can’t people who want to deface protected property at least use chalk?” a third wondered.
Sadly, others noted that this isn’t the first time it’s happened – referencing other major landmarks and historical sites which have also been vandalised by ignorant visitors.
“The barracks at Auschwitz are COVERED in people’s initials and names. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. Like who does that??? In a place like that??” said one person.
In a statement to Kidspot who first reported on the incident, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water shared how disappointing it is when this kind of behaviour occurs, noting that it is strongly discouraged within New South Wales national parks.
Not only can it be damaging to the natural environment, it can also impact Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in many locations.
How to ace a proposal
Thinking of proposing? Follow this checklist by Fabulous’ Deputy Editor Josie Griffiths to ensure a yes…
- Time it right – the average Brit waits between 18 months and two years to get engaged. But you might feel ready after six months, or decide to wait five plus years to pop the question. Only you truly know when the time’s right, and this isn’t a decision you want to rush. Falling in love might feel amazing but of course most relationships DON’T end in marriage – and this is for good reason…
- Pay attention – hopefully you haven’t reached the point yet of your frustrated partner leaving their laptop open with ‘hints’ for rings they like. Ideally you’ll want the ring to be a secret, but also something they’d happily wear – and for the rest of their life, so just a TEENY bit of pressure here. You need to be paying attention to any comments your partner makes about other people’s rings, what they do and don’t like, and what’s most important to them – size, clarity, specific details. If you’re really unsure, or if your partner hates surprises, it’s best to propose with a dummy and then buy the real thing together.
- Family matters – tradition dictates that you ask the dad’s permission for his daughter’s hand in marriage, but it’s not so straightforward nowadays. Maybe your partner’s closer to their step-dad, or wants her mum to walk her down the aisle, in which case you’d be better off chatting to them. Maybe they’d find it weird if you went to their parents first, in which case you could ditch the whole thing. Or perhaps they’re closer to their friends and the best idea would be letting your partner’s best mate pick the ring. These things do matter and could come back to bite you if handled in the wrong way.
- Plan the setting – does your partner dread being centre of attention, or are they someone who’d be gutted if you proposed at home, berating you forever for a lack of ‘effort’? Plan the place for your perfect proposal – how busy it’ll be, whether you’ll be able to get a good pic there, and other logistics around it. A proposal at the top of a mountain might sound good in theory but your girlfriend might not actually appreciate it when there’s sweat dripping down her forehead and she’s not wearing the cute dress she’d imagined for the pictures. Personally, I can’t think of anything worse than a public proposal where everyone’s waiting to hear your answer – in a group of friends, the middle of a restaurant or with an announcement at an event. So bear all of this in mind and remember, it’s meant to be about what THEY want, not you.
According to the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, a person must not ‘’deface by painting, carving, scratching or any other means, or damage, destroy, remove or interfere with, any fixture, improvement, rock, tree, equipment, water supply or relic in a park’’ – or risk copping fines up to $1,100, or £532.
This is not the first time a proposal has gone viral online for all the wrong reasons.
Recently, a man was slated for his unconventional wedding proposal, after popping the big question to his beau by writing it out in mayonnaise.
Another man, meanwhile, asked his partner to marry him outside the TOILETS on a flight to Benidorm.
And this beachside proposal went horribly wrong when the happy couple’s toddler dropped the ring into the sea.
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