When I was in the 7th grade I was at the local skating rink and I worked up the nerve to ask a very pretty blonde hair blue eyed girl to skate with me. She frowned at me and said "Are you Crazy!?" and sped off on her skates. I just wanted to go home after that. I think I have PTSD.
So yes it would be a relief to be asked instead of having to build up all that self confidence and counsel yourself not to be dissapointed before you even ask. This is hypothetical of course, since I am not interested in dating and would say no anyway.