Okay, my two cents about the "FL310 in 10 minutes" thing... The way I read it is "EXPECT FL310 in 10 minutes..." It's not a clearance. I just see it as keeping the pilot in the picture... Maybe I'm missing something
Back on the topic though AirNoService, You're completely right about the way things are done in S Africa. We (at least all the controllers I know and work with) execute a similtaneous handover of the label and the acft. Having read through the forum I think there are certainly strong arguments for both ways of doing it... I personally like the idea of clicking and doing the action while I speak, otherwise I fear I may be distracted and as said, once that label changes colour... You tend not to see it.
But, I'll do some probing around here with the other guys and see if they have any interesting thoughts. If they do, I'll be sure to post.