I think to a certain extent even what we think we deserve falls into the subjective realm that's somehow tied to one's preconceived ideas. Within my community, I may deserve a decent level of respect but when I'm out of that group, I could be treated otherwise. Familiarity or the lack of it, usually dictates how one responds/reacts to the other person.
Broadly, I do like the idea of not deserving anything, partly because it reduces much of the entitlement that comes as a byproduct of it. But having to keep earning one's position perpetually seems impractical and very burdensome on the individual.