14 knot wind from 270 from a runway 23 in a 152?
suitable
The question
I believe the term is primacy. Teach them the correct way of thinking from the start rather than trying to change it down the road.
In this case - don't try and pass the buck when it comes to decisions.
From DFC
I would say that asking the commander is passing the buck and not the correct way of thinking from the start.
The correct way for Matthew to progress is to start by finding out the maximum crosswind limit for the aircraft, understand the difference between demonstrated and limiting. Find out if the club/school has overiding limits. Learn how to work out cross wind limits by rule of thumb and exactly.
Asking the commander may in principal sound helpful but only if he or she is familiar with the above. I find that some commanders have difficuty working out the time let alone the crosswind limit.