The Rose of Tralee proposal last night has made headlines today, much to the frustration of many who couldn't care less. Public proposals by their very nature are cheesy and old-fashioned. Still, nothing attracts the attention of millions of romantics quite like a crazy, extravagent 'will you marry me?'. At the very least, the more elaborate efforts can make for some very entertaining videos (although we wish more resisted the temptation of terrible pop songs).

Proposals don’t get any more elaborate than this extraordinarily choreographed ‘live music video’. The woman in question probably didn’t have a clue what was going on when she was asked to sit in the open boot of her car and told to put on headphones. She certainly wouldn't have expected dozens of her friends and families to provide a background of jazz hands as her boyfriend proposed.

There’s been so many flash mob proposals they barely even register any more. Still, the scale and effort can still be rather spectacular...

Nothing compliments “will you marry me?” like “uh-oh, our plane is about to crash”. It’s OK though, he’s just pretending they’re in mortal danger. We’ll let him away with it because of the amusing pun in the video title.

Sometimes good old simplicity is the ideal approach. This just looks like your standard sci-fi convention proposal, nothing to see here, move along etc... Then the camera pans around, and it becomes the best proposal ever, hands down.

The problem with YouTube videos is that you can never be sure of the full story. Perhaps we’re just cynical, but we have to wonder whether the whole thing is just a big setup / fake engagement. Still, real or not, fair play to the guy for leaping off the building - an impressive feat for a hopeful romantic or YouTube comedian alike.

A note of warning: with public proposals comes the risk of public humiliation. You’d be better be sure your significant other is going to say yes, or else you could end up like this couple. The commentary makes it: