Mactrim,
To date I'm one of those jack offs that says "Approach G'day ABC cleared to FL120, go ahead".
What I'm trying to do is make your job easier ( I am ready for the clearance, pen in hand ).
With a normal change freq and when going to be given a clearance/STAR, I believe it cuts an ATC transmission out, I.E. "ABC, Stand by for STAR" ( or similar, sorry don't have my jepps with me for exact phraseology ).
Am I wrong ?.