Okay, I've made two recent trips to Paris (the second was a fluke--really cheap airfare deal I saw on FB: $880 round trip for my wife and me), and both times I went to a game store to buy French Xwing ships (why wouldn't I?). However, the store kept all the small ships in a box in the back, and the store clerk/owner/manager had to go back and get them. The large ships and big backs (like imp vets) were in the front. The first time, the lady working went back and got them for me to look at without any problem.

The second time a man was working and he acted like I was asking if I could kick him in the balls. I was polite and didn't demand any thing, and he reluctantly went back and grabbed the box. And I did buy two ships (sabine tie and striker).

Was I committing some kind of faux pas? Was it just because I was a foreigner who didn't speak French (which I would totally understand)? The store was small, so I get that they didn't have room to display the ships, but why grumble about getting them? I'm not really complaining about the shop; I'm more worried that I was being a rude tourist, which I try hard not to do.

I'm not french (I'm, german) so I can't help you that much but store clerks that act rude or strange when talked to is surely a problem everywhere albeit a small one I suppose. And keeping the ships in a box could probably be theft protection, I know some shops that did this with the old GW blister which could be easily opened, but X-Wing blisters are bigger and not that easily opened so it's strange to do that.
I would say the store I go to are run bey people that are nice to you no matter if you are a foreigner or not.

Thanks, he was nice otherwise, but it's like he didn't want to sell me the ships. There were some kids in the shop, so maybe he was worried about them stealing, but they stayed and bought something. I'm guessing the store keeps them in a box because it is a small space.