As I said before, QFE isn't just a UK & France thing, go East and you find a whole universe where there is no QNH, and you get a similar reaction to the one you describe if you ask for QNH.
When the UK built aircraft, altimeters could be wound down to about 750 for that very reason. Nowadays all the instruments are US made and so are designed for their system, which isn't a problem in the UK as there are no airfields above 1000' amsl. As you say, when you go to higher parts it is a problem, which is one reason why I prefer using QNH these days. However, see my earlier comments about all the systems work if they're used properly, and human nature!