Do NOT ask for Merit. Do NOT beg for Merit.
Merit is intended to be earned. Attempting to acquire Merit without earning it is dishonest and an indication of an untrustworthy person.
Danny put it excellently and if I could put it in context or give a reference I would love to attempt to make this even more clear and salient.
It would be great if Danny and Bill didn't commit a classic faux pas in newbie posting - repeating a point made earlier in the thread. You guys are both just repeating the OP.
Instead of acting like you're teaching something, you should be praising the OP for his call out of those that ask/beg for merit OR shutting the f*ck up and moving on to a thread that you can contribute something new to. The etiquette of post quality applies to each of us, remember that.
Woterry, THANK YOU for joining us in calling out those that ask or beg for merit. Your comparison to "respect" is spot on. If you have to ask for merit you know your post isn't good enough to earn any. Keep the intent true and the reward will come.
Keep it up, Woterry, we're glad you're here!