I'd go as far as to say that AF have been more hit by subsidy. Look at the intense competition on LON, BRU, AMS, GVA, BSL, LYS, MRS, TLS, LIL and plenty more formerly very profitable routes by the SNCF, a very definitely subsidised organisation... Not to mention EZY with its finger in the domestic routes tarte...

Culturally, though, my experience at CDG is that it helps to at least try to speak French (it's only polite), and, if you don't get what you want, it's not losing your temper, but rather dogged (albeit calm) stubbornness that gets you what you want. I do agree that the airport rarely rates highly among my 'best customer service experiences', even with fluent French.