My mom was asked to marry some guy in public and she DID say yes though she didn't mean it but she said she found the experience appalling, humiliating and it felt like a betrayal to her to be asked like that. She said she didn't think the guy could possibly be serious and that she figured he was just trawling for attention.

I don't think I would have thought less of her if she'd said no. I think she was and is incredibly introverted and absolutely hated being put on the spot like that. I suspect an extrovert may have enjoyed it more. If the guy had known her at all, he would have known that she would not have enjoyed the situation.

I would personally never do that to someone and would hate it myself.

I doubt that Holden Caulfield ever inspired more than sullen cigarette smoking.