Exactly the point I was making in my reply to #2. Basically all people like her are are complainers. They look for one tiny thing someone says and twist it to be something sexist, racist, whatever-ist, then bitch about it. That's what's wrong with society today, we cave to political correctness and the BS that it brings from people like poster #2. "Oh, I'm sorry you found that sexist. No, don't you actually get off your ass and do anything, I'll change what I did so I don't offend you." Then as soon as the OP would ask for the girls hand in marriage poster #2 would come along with a comment like, "Oh you think you can purchase your fiance with a wedding ring, that's sexist thinking you can buy a woman for a piece of jewelry." People like #2 are what's wrong with society. We gave them a voice and they expect the world to cater to them personally and their beliefs.

I don't think two years is too early, but that's me. They might be ready to grow up and settle down earlier than other people their age. It does happen. Besides if her father is over protective there is probably no convincing him to give you his blessings anyway. So, FYL for being an idiot and FHL because you didn't have the balls to just ask her.

Even if we were trading livestock, this is America. We don't care about goats, bring on the beef!

I'm willing to bet that her father was so unwilling to give you his blessing because he didn't want a pussy who can't just man up and ask his GIRLFRIEND to marry him for a son-in-law.

I kinda want whoever I marry to ask me and THEN my parents... plus it's one thing to be a LITTLE hesitant to propose but 6 months is just being a pussy

YDI for thinking this is 1105 AD and asking for her dad's permission. And before anyone tries to pull any "It's the respectful thing to do" bullshit, let me remind you that marriage is rooted in selling off daughters and merging clans to gain power. If you love her, ask. Simple as that.

aw, why don't you tell her that and then ask her..

"What is it with you and goats?" I smell an inter-species orgy!

Who the F asks permission these days? I'm sure you didn't ask to screw her brains out for the last 24 months....

Asking for a hand in marriage does, in fact, stem from the passing of a woman and "well-being" from her father to another man. This is not unlike the symbolism behind a father walking his daughter down the aisle. The difference? Many more women find it appropriate for their father to "give them away" on their wedding day, though it means the same as their husband-to-be asking for her hand in marriage. Things have changed, people. It's 2009. These traditions no longer have the same "sexist" meanings. Still, everyone has their own preferences. On the issue of the length of the relationship - Did anyone stretch their brain muscles far enough this morning to think that these people may not be as young as you'd initially assumed? Despite the age of the couple, parents can be overprotective. Furthermore, asking for a daughter's hand in marriage is more than just respectful. It shows that the OP wants to be a WELCOMED part of the family.