I don't think you wanted to beg for merits by doing what you did, and i have seen many member's do the same thing in some topics in the forum, what i feel is that it isn't necessary, and i have read where merit sources have said you should not thank them for giving you merits because that is what they ought to do, give out smerits, you can 'thank' them by giving out your own smerits to other members and helping out around the forum with what you know. See this:

By the way congratulations on your new rank lizarder