Observer says: Tell me how often in everyday life do you wander about asking about other people, complete strangers, permission to do things?

I would imagine that if a performer has been booked for a performance at a venue, there must have been some personal contact in the process of booking. If the performer wants to do a song that's a bit "iffy," it seems realistic and reasonable to ask the venue contact how the audience might react. I would consider this to be asking for information, not for permission.

-Joe-