I don't ask, in fact I don't care.

Well there are definitely people (in this forum) who are not willing to hear no and (proudly) refuse to accept it graciously, which is basically the definition of "gauche" (and of course whether there's anything "wrong" with it is a different question from whether it's gauche or not).

I agree with others in that for the most part, I book the minimum room type I'm willing to accept. That said, I have generally come to expect a "basic" upgrade, where I'm in a higher category room (e.g. I booked a standard room but am assigned a high floor or something like that). I think I almost always get this. I rarely ask for an upgrade at check-in, usually when it would be really useful (e.g. traveling with family), but when I ask, it is almost always "denied" or doesn't happen. I've had properties offer to sell me upgrades, which seems like a clear violation of the rules and really ticks me off. I've also had properties tell me that they don't have any suites available even though the Marriott website shows suites for sale, which also seems wrong to me and annoys me.

I’m surprised by how many that say they don’t requested upgrades. Even as a lowly silver due to the credit card, I still ask. What’s the point of having status if you don’t get the perk

I don't consider more square footage or a higher floor to be of any value. I live small. That isn't to say that other people don't or shouldn't desire this kind of upgrade, but I don't think I'm unique

Same here. This particular benefit simply isn’t very important to me. The ones that I value more are (in no particular order) late checkout, lounge access, breakfast and higher points multiplier.

This doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate an upgrade if I get it, but in reality it doesn’t make a big difference to most of my stays.

The only thing that annoys me (and which I always point out in post-stay feedback) is when a property makes a big deal about having upgraded me, but in reality it’s a totally fake upgrade (such as a room on an Executive Floor which is pointless for anyone who already gets lounge access from status). If you can’t / don’t want to upgrade me, fine, no problem. But don’t play me for a fool.

If I don't get automatically upgraded, I always ask, especially when I know for a fact that they have some upgrades available. Then, I enjoy hearing whatever BS excuse they come up with for not upgrading me.