What is this new thing? Why are people asking this all of a sudden? In my experience, there are 3 phrases that, when they appear, are guaranteed to at best make things uncomfortable between people, and at worst kill friendships. They are:

"Just sayin'"
"Not to be rude, but..."
"I had just assumed..."

Assumptions are bad, which is why that delightful little saying about making an ass out of you and me exists. Don't ask people to tell you things that they assume about you. Anyone who answers the question will either be dancing on eggshells trying not to offend you or playing a game of Russian Roulette by being brutally honest. Either way, I see no way any good can come of it.