This is completely at odds with my experience of speaking French in France, both in major cities and small villages. My spoken French is appalling, and yet I've encountered nothing but good will from the French, happy to encourage me, and to work together to figure out what I'm trying to say.

Obviously YMMV, but your assertions are contrary to my experience.

Edit: Down-voted. Thanks for the reality check.

2nd edit: Up-voted, perhaps to compensate. Thank you to whoever did that.