Yes I know that there are lots of reasons why the planned level and the requested level are different, but would have thought both crew people in the pointy end would know what the requested level was....but your answer goes some way....thanks, I might not be so sarcastic (off the R/T, of course) in future.
However, some pilots have become accustomed to being asked and volunteer the information on first contact.
I suppose the worst answer is "we can take whatever suits you"; I once replied "Roger, climb Flight Level six six zero"