[throwawaywu]

I've lived in France and the idea is to make an attempt to speak French. After they have surmised that you sincerely are making an attempt and that you are also butchering their language, they'll do their best to meet you with English if they can.

[version_five]

France isn't quebec. I have no problem talking with people in France if they and I are making good faith attempts to communicate, nor will anyone doing as you suggest. This is about a public servant intentionally refusing to speak a language they understand because of the institutional prejudice of the province.

Ironically, in most situations Quebeckers will refuse to speak French to you if there's any hint you're an anglophone.