If ANYONE is rude to me, doctor, nurse, shopkeeper , the first thing I always say is 'Having a bad day?' If they get that the reason I've asked is their perceived rudeness, they very often smile and relax and apologise. If they stay rude and snap, 'No!'or something similar, my follow up question is, 'Why so rude then?' If you keep your voice upbeat and sympathetic, it's amazing how often you can get them to back down and apologise. I just see it as a game. If I can leave them a bit more chilled out with the next customer, my job's done. I've told 2 GP's at my practise that I can't take them seriously when I think they are being mean and grumpy. One told me to see somebody else then. I said okay, wrote to the practice manager and have had my records marked that I no longer have to see that doctor. The other GP smiled, apologised and has been brilliant with me ever since. As long as you are being reasonable, nobody should get away with being rude!