I fly for RYR.
I ask for higher levels as I can save fuel by doing so. I would not bother asking if the answer was always no (it is not).
I ask for directs as it saves fuel and time. I would not bother asking if the answer was always no (it is not), or if everyone was like the French and automatically offered the best routings without being asked.
For as long as there is a benefit in asking for these two things I will continue to ask for them, with the appropriate courtesy in the question, and with the appropriate gratitude to the controller for considering my request (regardless of outcome). Is that really so wrong?