It gave me the ick too when he first said it, but apparently it's a british tradition/cultural thing from what other tattlers said . My parents would laugh at my bf's face if he asked their permission, I'm not a little child or their property. They would probably say no just to see what he would do .Asking for the parent’s permission before getting engaged to your female partner is like the least feminist thing you can do in my opinion. Why would you ask her parents if you can marry their 29 year old daughter?