Originally Posted by Kate_Canuck

I don't think French consider it rude that Americans don't speak French while in France. I think that many French justifiably consider it rude that some English-speaking people behave as if they expect the French to speak English to them while they are in France. The problem is exacerbated when this behaviour is combined with ignorance of basic principles of French etiquette regarding interactions in stores and restaurants.

For example, last fall I was in a small pharmacy in Nice when an American woman came into the shop. She didn't greet the women (pharmacists) working there. She immediately launched into her request (herbal, relaxing bath salts) in English and ignored the fact that there were two customers ahead of her. (I guess she thought a question takes precedence over a transaction.) When the staff initially ignored her and continued paying attention to their customers (with whom they had been conversing), she simply repeated her request in a louder voice. When one of the staff members finished with her customer, she turned to the American woman and said, "Bonjour madame, how may I help you?" (i.e. partly in French, partly in English) The American woman failed to greet her, and just repeated her request again. The staff member said "I'm sorry. I do not understand." Another loud, English request from the American. Finally, I stepped in and translated. The pharmacist found what the woman was looking for and she made her purchase while speaking to me in English and pretty much ignoring the woman who was serving her. Then she walked out of the store without saying good bye or thank you. The pharmacist quietly said to the back of the American woman's head as she headed out the door, "C'est moi (qui vous remercie), madame. Au revoir. Bonne journée."