In my short time lurking around PPrune I've noticed that this seems to come up a lot. Personally, I use "degrees" after every turn instruction regardless of what it ends in. So far without problem...
I think if this thread has done anything though, it's shown the importance of trying to maintain an international standard of Phraseology. If we all know it and stick to it, there should be fewer things misinterpreted...
My two cents