When I visited Paris in 2001, I was told ahead of time, "Just be friendly and try to speak the language, and you'll be treated well." Uh, no. Pretty much everywhere I went, I was treated with disdain. This piece in The Observer is fantastic in that it both (a) makes it clear your poor treatment is probably not your fault and should not be taken personally and (b) gives you specific tips for vanishing that snooty little garçon's attitude.