You can't avoid this conversation forever.
The Convo
Most of all get to a place in the talking stage where we genuinely wanna know "What are we?" If you're going to approach your boo with the question just be prepared for his reaction. I'm going to speak personally from my past situations and the lessons that I learned with them.
If he thinks the question is a bit aggy and annoying, then 9 times out of 10, the guy sees you as someone who's not going to far far with him in his life. He doesn't take you super serious and he will most likely catch attitude with you when you ask him the question.
Peep the signs sis!
The best thing to do is to approach him in the beginning stages of you all dating. I would ask him what he wants for his self, his future and you. This will also give you an opportunity to say what it is that you want. Whether its a relationship, something serious or just taking it day by day, it will open up the conversation for you all to have in order for you to know whether or not you're wasting your time.
Tips:
Believe his actions. The problem is that us women, always believe a man's words rather than his actions. We should be believing his actions instead of his words. If he is showing you what he wants and what he desires then he will treat you based off of that. Meaning that if he wants you to be his one and only, then he will treat you as such. If he wants you around as a piece of booty, then he will treat you accordingly. Unfortunately ladies, there's nothing that we can do to change that. The only thing that we have the power to do is make the decision whether or not to leave or stay. So, make the decision that's best for you.