r/Frenchnaturalization

I have been learning French for 9 months and I reached niveau A2. Right now I’m in France and every time I try to respond in French, the waiter or the waitress starts speaking in English. In my own country and in many others, local people would adore you for just trying to speak the native language. What the hell is wrong with the French?

I was born and raised in the US to a parent who was born in France and raised in the US. He has no French passport. As I understand it, I am automatically French once I establish descent, but I need to begin by getting him registered with the French consulate (in Los Angeles). Unfortunately the consulate's recent Web site redesign is a real PITA.

Has anyone here been through this process already? I could use some guidance.