Asking the top or bottom ?

[AirBorn]

Well I would say just don't ask the first time you meet. Assuming you want a relationship and not a hook up, sex should not be the first or even second thing you talk about. Get to know the person, develop a friend relationship with them, and then is there seems to be a growing connection, then naturally a more personable topic can be brought up. It shouldn't seem awkward, or like "your just wanting to hook up" if you have developed the friendship to this point.