Tony,
You did exactly the right thing in questioning climbing to an altitude that by any standard, FMC or QRH was dubious at best.
I personally cannot see the benefit whatsoever in
pushing/ exceeding QRH or book limits in any respect, whats the point?
Regardless of anyone else's opinion, the day you stand by and let yourself be intimidated by another pilot, regardless of his position in the company or support by management, is the day you might as well take off your headset and go and sit in the cabin.