I was surprised by the subject -- in my travels I have generally found Germans to be among the most polite people I have met. True, they are often cool and formal, but I think that somehow is a partner of courtesy everywhere.
If you want rude, try France or Italy. If you want something in between Germany and Italy, the US is your answer. But remember -- the more courtesy you get the less personal involvement you will find.
For super rude, nobody can beat the Israelis. On my first flight here, my seatmate asked me what I do for a living and I told him I was a journalist. The next words out of his mouth?
"Really? How much do you earn -- net?"
I couldn't believe a complete stranger would ask me that, but I soon found that it is not at all unusual here.
On the other hand, when people find out I am divorced they immediately start suggesting friends and relatives I might be interested in dating.
Perhaps this is slightly off the topic, but I always recall with amusement what happened when I arrived here. The woman (about my age) who was checking passports and visas must have had a particularly bad day (or month) and was being obnoxious to everyone. The line was delayed and backed up as she took her time doing her job, questioning people, and making everybody miserable.
When it was my turn, she saw I had a visa for a new immigrant and asked me what my profession was. I told her. She then asked me my marital status and I said "Single."
Her entire demeanor changed in a flash! She suddenly became warm and pleasant. Although it was not at all part of her job, she insisted on personally escorting me to the office in the airport where new immigrants are received. She walked out of her booth (leaving all those people still waiting in line) to do this.
When we go to the office door, she told me that immigrants sometimes have problems getting adjusted and I should feel free to call her for any help -- and then wrote down her name and telephone number.
Needless to say, she was not sporting a wedding ring.
