However, it's just as well that women have low expectations with only 15 per cent of them wanting their partner to propose while on holiday, said the poll of 1,500 adults. Commentating on the results, one of dater, a famous relationship therapist, said: ‘There are several reasons why romance is disappearing from marriage proposals. ‘The recession is probably having an effect on people's aspirations. In times where money is tight people tend to lower their dreams a little and look to find the romance through some other cheaper means.

THE IDEAL PROPOSAL FOR MEN AND WOMEN;
Perfect proposal scenarios for men and women.

What women want:

Their partner should propose. One month or longer should be spent planning the proposal. It should occur in December. It should happen in the evening. Their partner doesn't need to go down on one knee. It should occur at home in the UK. Without their father's approval beforehand.

What men want:

They would be the one to propose. They would spend one month or less planning. They would propose in June. In the evening. At a place where they first met. At home in the UK. Without approval of partner’s father. ‘Money that may have been spent on setting the perfect scene for a marriage proposal is instead going towards the cost of the wedding, the honeymoon, or buying a flat together.

’ Results have further shown that the excitement of the actual proposal has disappeared with three out of five males (63 per cent) not planning to propose on one knee. Surprisingly the latest statistics show that men and women have similar ideas with only one out of three women (30 per cent) actually wanting their partner to get down on one knee. Mr Silvester said: ‘I am pleased to see that getting down on one knee is losing popularity, because it means fewer people are opting for the obvious and actually doing it in a way that feels right for them.

‘My advice to anyone would be that the location is less important than the timing. Pop the question when the mood is perfect and it'll become a romantic and unforgettable memory.

’ One Dater said: ‘It's great that more women are proposing and I think the spontaneity of their decision shows that in many cases the emotion of the moment needs be strong enough to overcome the social conditioning that says it's the man's job. ‘If we are looking for partnerships to be equal, why shouldn't the onus on who asks who be spread equally too? I think many men would love for that to happen.’ The study shows online daters are happy to have a simple, spontaneous proposal in the comfort of their own home, but when given the option to turn back time, less than one in three thought their proposal was perfect.