My son wants to ask some girl to be his “girl” tonight. He is a sophmore in college and I would say this is something like pre-engagement with no ring but something more than “going out” from high school. I told him if you are a couple, then you are just a couple, no need for announcements. He said that is the way they do it now. I don’t claim to understand.
Any creative ideas?
Promise ring.
He said that is the way they do it now
C’mon Tim, I remember asking a girl to “go steady” when I was a sophomore in high school…and that was in 1976. Things haven’t changed that much…but as to how to “wow” her, that depends on the girl. Could be a nicer-than-average dinner date, could be downloading her favorite song as his ring tone and vice-versa, could be a $50 pair of on-sale earrings from Macy’s…could be anything…I’m no help there anymore…!
Like ‘going steady?’ I think that idea when out-of-style with letterman jacket back in the 50’s…
I guess a promise ring, like KEJ said, but even that is kind of not-the-norm. I’m a believer in the “if you are a couple, then you are just a couple, no need for announcements.”
Matching outfits!
LOL Nice!
Mike, I would have been a HS sophmore in 74 and going steady was cool but I don’t know what this stage is. I like your ideas-keep it coming…
Heis having dinner with her, he has flowers… what else??? No time to get a promise ring before dinner. Obviously he is a great planner like his old man.
just quietly licking my eyebrows usually works.
If it’s crunch time, a cute card and/or a little stuffed animal…goofy, I know, but keep it light.
I guess get him a box of these
.
For your sake, I hope his mother doesn’t see that!
Hand-made card? If he can compose a sonnet, he should do so or at least a small poem or limmerick.
He is a fine singer and that is definltey in his budget.
A new bike would work for me.
I think any nice gesture will do. Flowers seemed to work well for me (or maybe not since I’m still single!). Tell him not to get her jewelry–that’s a black hole from which he will not escape.
A little romantic dinner, some flowers the usual stuff and if she has favourite chocolates or some little other thing that’s her favourite … no ring … too expensive and too committing.
The thing that will bring him the furthest is in fact not to WOW her … but to be attentive to her. Whatever she wants to say no matter how trivial, as young femmes are choc full of … just listen as if it’s the most fascinating thing he’s ever heard.
And then tell your son … enjoy her when he’s got her hooked. But maintain an open mind. Tell him that if he really takes her to be that one and only get the ring and propose marraige his first year out of college or so, that would be a tragedy. Such a kaliedoscope of different women to be had, so many things in life to experience and so much potential of change in priorities in a young man as he is maturing. Anything under 35yrs old is still a boy for most of us men.
Proof - how many high school sweetheart marraige unions work-out?
Promise ring.
Of course, the lady would suggest jewelry … followed by clothing. Touche. =)
Well, I’ve read through the other responses, and I’m not digging them. Maybe he could color her a picture of a kitty or something. 
I guess the straight-forward approach of telling her how he feels and asking that they see each other exclusively is just too darn barbaric for for the 21st century. Honestly, I’ve never really been in that situation … just seemed, by actions, whether both people, were interested in keeping the relationship monogomous was obvious. I mean geez, if she’s dating other guys, that’s an obvious “No” … but if she hasn’t pursued other guys and/or accepted date (or other) offers from other men, then it would appear that she already is “his girl”.
Going steady is out-dated, or so has been reported … maybe matching belly-button rings or tatoos?
Seriously, I don’t see what else is needed other than some conversation over dinner or before watching a movie/DVD.
I told him if you are a couple, then you are just a couple, no need for announcements.
I agree with this. I don’t buy the statement that they don’t do it like that anymore … unless he means young people don’t committ to just one person, without having a “sex buddy” (or two or three or …). That seems to be how it’s done “nowadays”.
I guess I never understood the complexities of college relationships. Either you liked someone enough to just see them or you didn’t. Your actions spoke louder than any words, rings, coloring book kitties, etc (although nothing speaks louder than matching outfits … good one KEJ). Pretty simple, really. Date around, eventually find that one girl that changes the way you look at everything, date her for a while (6 months for me), get engaged, get married, have some wonderful children, actively maintain a healthy marriage, and enjoy life. Then you buy a triathlon bike, and one day after stopping by the jewelry store she comes home and asks, “Did your bike cost $1200 or $1800?” It’s magical.
We think alike!
soooo, what’d he end up doing?
inquiring minds want to know 
how about just some corny words?
He should dump her. Then she will say “Wow, I didn’t see that coming”
It’s all about the WOW factor