Just for info,

You can pretty much ignore the rate of descent when issued by ATC. If they ask for 2000, give them about 1000. No one will notice, especially the controller. They love setting you up for TCAS problems.

My favorite call from PEK atc in my previous airline:

atc "dragon 908, what is your callsign"

us "ahhhh......dragon 908"

atc "dragon 908, thanks".

Koru - that smart arse comment may have been me. oops.