Originally Posted by jeffpoulin

As an American expat living in France, I can't understand how France tops the list of "rudest" countries. I don't think the French are more rude than anyone else, it's just a different culture here. If you act like a typical American and expect people to speak English, then of course, you won't be greeted very warmly (just like a French person in the U.S. who expected people to act and speak French would not be greeted very warmly there!). A little humility and an attempt to speak the local language goes a long way no matter where you go.