With altering directions from ATC, hey, they are there to help you, nothing easier than saying: unable to comply, give me an inital heading and so on.
Many pilots take everything from ATC as an order - but you can always inform them about your situation, request a different solution!!!!
Not sure that always works in busy controlled airspace or following IFR routes/procedures. All very well if you have a problem/technical issue but not if you are slaved to the VMS instead of adjusting course manually and then catching up with the nav kit
