I have a bit of an update on this. I've found out, through talking with her, that her parents have no such rule in place about her not being allowed to date. However, she has never dated before, and has never asked them if she is allowed to at the age she is now. She said that she thought it would probably depend on the guy, as to whether or not she would be allowed.

When she was telling me all of this I got the feeling she wanted me to ask her out right then and there, however I wasn't prepared to do so. I wanted to gather my thoughts, and I really don't want to make a mistake with this whole thing. I am now positive that I want to pursue a relationship with her, and I'd like to get things moving in that direction within the next week or two.

My question now is, should I stick with my original plan of asking her parents permission before I ask her, or would it be alright to go ahead and just ask the girl herself?