I'm not sure the way I spoke was inappropriate, since I wasn't even dating the guy at that point, and all I said to him was I have no issue proposing to someone if I'm ready and want to marry them. And the conversation was about his friends who've been dating for 4 years, and both of them valued marriage, yet one of them was waiting for a proposal instead of proposing themselves. In that particular case, all it boils down to is the lack of self-confidence and self-respect to take charge of your life and fate. And sadly, it's usually women who are in that position, although I wouldn't make it about gender.