You may be confusing ramp control with ground control. The ramp is usually on the non-movement side of the airport. Some holding pads are too. Anything on the movement side is subject to ATC control. Not that familiar with ORD but the controller probably assumed you were familiar with how the ramp wanted you to enter so he didn't specify and got irritated when you went the other way. I'm sure by now it has been replaced with other irritations.