I think they want to discourage people begging for answers, along the lines of ‘please help or I’ll get fired and my wife will leave me and my kids will starve.

I think they want to discourage people begging for answers, along the lines of ‘please help or I’ll get fired and my wife will leave me and my kids will starve.’ And to some people, saying ‘thanks’ before anyone has agreed to help sounds passive-aggressive. Like those notes in the workplace kitchen that feign gratitude for ordering you to do something.