I think it's just a matter of reading the room. I've had friends I'm close enough with to bring up the idea and it's been both accepted and turned down but in each case we stayed close friends and they didn't seem bothered. Some people are openly sex positive and casual about their partner selection. To them it's just like other fun activities to do with friends. If you and I were friends I'd like to think I'd be perceptive enough to know you're not one of the ones I could make the suggestion to.

That said, my point was more directed at the dozens of stories I've seen here that all end with OP suddenly being bitch or whatever because she turned a guy down. Regardless of what he asked or how.