Iv got to say, im not botherd what service im geting from an ATCO (speaking only as a PPL), be it a clearence, instruction, advise or what ever, there is no way that im not going to check that i can comply with it safely, if at all.
At the end of the day, its ME that isnt going to get to go to the pub if I flew my plane in to the ground. Even if its the ATCO's job to give me terrain clearence. I want to be happy that i will make it over that terrain before i will acept it.
ATCO's do a fantastic job hovever, i take my hat off to you (if i was wearing one
) but as P1 its my decision to conduct the flight safely, so i will check and clearence given.