Maybe they were trying to start a conversation

and thought it would be a good topic to get you on side

a easy way to find out is just to reply

He is a ............Why do you ask? that way it is direct to the point and polite at the same time

... is a common question for westerns man... means then he show to you more then superficial interest. If a western man is interested in more hen just an adventure with a lady, usually, he ask about her family...

i've never asked what someone father does. i always thought that question was meant to find out if your family is loaded.

a father in government or position of power could get you deported if things go bad, best not to play with a fire and find someone else.

I agree with ambivalenctmace, 但是一方需要讲诚信.   所以, What does your father do?  真的?

It's just a quick gauge to see where you're coming from.  He could be looking for someone from a well-off family, or maybe he thinks it's better to find someone from more humble beginnings....who knows.  Don't take too much offense, us laowai get asked much worse questions by total strangers.

没关系的，你可以说，”我爸是李刚”

Just wondering, you find it unusual to ask about your father's job. Would you find it odd if you asked each other about salaries or assets? I think asking father's job has less financial implications and more to do with how your personality developed. I know that I would be able to figure out whether a girl was a potential long term partner for me based upon the personality/style/attitude,etc. of the people who raised her.

I would get along with the daughter of a kindergarten teacher and accountant turned custodian rock collector (my Mother and Father), than the daughter of a proctologist and lawyer. Americans just learned a lot about me, and I think they can understand the differences easily- although the distinction may not be as clear to Chinese. Anyway, it might be that the person is curious, or it may be that he's trying to figure out how much money you have. Try to improve your ability to judge people's character, and that skill will pay off for you.

Just curiousity. 

I'd want to know what your mother looks like.

Maybe because they want to know if your from money or will they have to put their hand in there pocket to buy your parents a new wardrobe every CNY

Who is your daddy and what does he do?

I wouldn't think anything of it.  For me its just a way of starting a conversation and learning about where someone came from.  I think its a natural question to ask if you are interested in getting to know someone more.  Stop thinking so much. 

maybe guys try to weed out daughters og mob bosses and the like

Maggie, 

In Britain (and in most English speaking nations I've been to) it is quite acceptable to refuse to answer a question, with a

"I'd really prefer not to say thank you."

or

"I'm very sorry but I find that a little personal."

Of course while doing so will prevent further questions on the subject it will serve to really arouse the persons curiosity as to WHY you don't want to answer, so often it is better to answer a different question, (somewhat like the Chinese are good at), the speaker will usually get the hint.

e.g.

Man - "What does your father do?"

You - "Interesting question, did you know that Oxford has two rivers?"

Do they ask ''Who's your daddy?"

But this is the everyday question we foreigners receive here from our Chinese counterparts,

what is your father's job? tell me about your parents financial situations and such like. anyway just tell them your father is a fisher or carpenter or a farmer and ask anything?

Well, If someone is so serious about being in relation, so just give simple and streight answer for the question.

Or possibly We can ask it, after being close to gf/bf , when like to know more about herself and her family or same for himself and his family.

It's depend on what people takes reaction on this question while someone ask them.

If someone ask me, I will proudly say "My father is Goldsmith".

@ prensoni   That's great She is a Gold Digger so things should work out Hunky Dory for you both

Well if you really want to derail a conversation you could just go with "my dad's a firetruck".

下次可以这样回答

-- officer, so better not mess with me. 

Probably just trying to fathom out what kind of a father it would take to create offspring like yourself. Maybe they are expecting you to say "My father is a genetic scientist and I am a result of a failed experiment".