Dear Yasmin,
What type of question you have asked? Can it be a policy on the part of HR to be rude? Whether HR or otherwise, we must be polite.
Occasionally, HR is under pressure and they could be downloading their frustration on the down-level staff. However, this is individual problem rather than painting whole HR with black colour.
Lastly, can you please give us the context of your query? There is no option to the politeness, courtesy, civility etc. There is no alternative it. But then why have you raised query on the alternative?
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar