Agree with the above - communication is the key.
If ATC let us know what their plan is - especially if it deviates from the norm -then we can plan ahead accordingly. Being told to do 220kts followed by a long long silence is not particularly helpful.
bmi have the same 1000ft / 500ft stability criteria as Easy/BA and so we have some scope for flexibilty if you share the plan.
Personally I have no great problems with BCN ATC - I get more twitchy about Murcia.