Because they are arrogant assholes and it has nothing to do with their government or cheese.
Company I worked for rented time on some equipment at Air Canada on weekends. I flew into Montreal every weekend for several months to work there. One trip I forgot to bring a Philips screwdriver with me. I went over to one of the techs there and tried to ask if I could borrow one. I got a response in French that I took to mean he didn't speak English. I tried making sign language, drew a picture, nothing. Nada! Finally another tech says, 'Pierre, He is from the US. He doesn't speak any French. He is paying to use equipment that we aren't using on the weekends.' The ******* then says in perfect English with no accent, 'Do you need a size 2 or size 3 Phillips screwdriver.' Let me repeat, because they are assholes.'
I ran into two similar occurrences when on a cruise in the Caribbean at stop at French islands. Asked how much in dollars, just got a hand held out for my money that he would then count out. When I said, 'If you can't tell me the price in dollars, I don't need to buy it.' At which point the conversation continued in perfect English, assholes. Their business is totally dependent on tourists, mostly from the US, and they play their games. Assholes!
