Rude French People

This week's blog entry will be focused on debunking and finding truth out of a very common stereotype: All French people are rude.
I personally have no idea where this stereotype originated and I'm pretty sure that no one actually does.  However this is one of the most familiar ways to categorize the French.  First off, I'm not standing up for or bashing the French.  I'm only shedding some light of reality on this unanswered cliché based on my experience.
I'll start with a few examples of what might give a foreigner the impression that all French people are rude.
1) You're not speaking French. 
OR YOU'RE NOT GOOD AT FRENCH
French people are very proud of their language, like all countries are, I'd assume.  Normally they will respect you or treat you nicely if you're speaking (or trying to speak) French with them.  On the other hand, if you don't try at all, they'll treat you like an idiot.  Also if you DO try,  but you're not up to their standards, they'll just immediately switch to speaking English and talk to you like a child.
--This last part is something that seriously irritates me.  Obviously I'm trying to speak your language.  Humor me please.  I'm still learning.
So one way to avoid a rude encounter with a French person is to speak fluent French. Good luck.
2) Restaurant service is not like it is in America. 
In the states when you go to a restaurant you're immediately greeted by a hostess and taken to a table, all smiles.  "Have a good meal! Your server will be right with you!" says the hostess.  You look at your menu for about 3 minutes and soon after, your server appears.  She/he is bubbly and excited  to see you.  "Hi my name is _____, welcome to ________! What can I get you to drink? *lists beverage options*" When you get your food, your server pops by the table every few minutes, "How's everything tasting?! Do you need anything?! Let me get you a refill!" Everything is done quickly, efficiently, and with the most positive attitude ever.  The servers in America treat you like queens.  What I've experience in France so far with restaurants is that a lot of the times you just seat yourself, the server takes a year to greet you, they never come by to see if you need ketchup or more water and they never separate checks. I understand that it's a culture thing and french people probably don't like to be bothered while they're eating.  (Honestly, servers in the US can get pretty annoying when they ask you if everything is okay every 5 minutes) However, when you're used to service being the way it is at Red Lobster, you feel neglected at a French restaurant.  This could easily give an American the impression that French people are rude.  So keep in mind next time you come to France that the manager of the restaurant you're eating at is NOT going to stop by your table and tell you "happy anniversary" and you're never getting that refill you wanted.
--Hint: You don't tip a French server because it's always added to the bill.  This is also probably why they aren't kissing your ass during your meal.
3) Any service in general is not a pleasant thing in France.
I'll start with an example.  The bus station: I'm trying to get my car treize card so I can take the bus somewhere.  My bus leaves in 40 minutes.  You'd think that'd be enough time but in France it's not.  I come to find out that there are 2 windows open out of the like, 6 or 8 windows.  Meaning there are only two people working at the station and there's a line of people waiting to be helped that's running out the building.  Naturally, I'm late for my bus and the worker behind the window hates her life because of how busy she is.  This scenario is literally everywhere.  Therefore, most people working behind a counter are usually quite rude to customers because they're downright cranky.  Honestly I don't understand why they can't just let more people work at one time but whatever.  So don't expect a lovely experience when you're at the grocery store, or when you're trying to update your bus pass.
--If you happen to show up at a time where there are barely any other customers there, chances are you'll get great service.  They're not always crabby.
In conclusion-
So there you have it:  Three things I've noticed that could give the impression to a foreigner that French people are rude.  However, they really aren't bad.  Every stranger I pass says "Bonjour!" and smiles at me.  Every time I enter a store or pass a stand at the market, I'm greeted just the same.  I've found that French people are actually quite friendly.  In the states, if I said hello to every person I passed on the street, I'd be looked at like I'm nuts.  So honestly, it all depends on what French people you've encountered.  I've had quite a few bad experiences with French people, but it doesn't make me believe that ALL the french are unpleasant.  You can't categorize a whole country based on a few bad memories...and that goes for every country, not just France.