french people are rude?

No ruder that you would find in any other country, there are good and bad everywhere, we have found mostly good. Persevere with your limited amount of french, why should anyone expect people in another country to speak their language just to make things easier for them? In major towns and cities usually some people understand english but they may not want to speak it, for reasons of their own. You will enjoy yourself if you make an effort with the language, most french people appreciate an effort and may even meet wyou halfway