There seems to be a number of variables that come into play when people give out lurve. There is absolutely a certain degree of favoritism, which is why I like the rule that limits how much lurve one member can give another (that is still in existence, I hope).
Personally, I don’t get wrapped up in the points here, and I haven’t gotten involved socially the way others have. I tend to only offer a response if I feel it adds something to the coversation and helps to answer the question. If someone else has already said what I was going to say, I give them lurve and move on (e.g. the blow-drying question).
As such, I don’t get much lurve or make anyone’s crush list. But I do get the sense that my selective responses are usually appreciated, regardless of the lurve I get.