Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 16100; Flight Crew Type 1200
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors
While instructing a student and preparing to enter Ramona's Class Delta air space we discussed the radio call we would make to the control tower requesting touching others. My student made the radio call to the tower; it was disjointed and not very professional; he's a student after all.  There initially was no reply from Ramona tower. I instructed him to repeat his call to the tower.  When the tower finally responded he spoke to my student in a condescending arrogant and sarcastic way.  At which point I told my student I'll take care of this.  I'm not proud of my behavior; but I came back to the controller with the same level of sarcasm he gave my student.  You see; I've had issues with this control tower before.  The control tower personnel are not FAA controllers; but are contract controllers.  They consistently have very poor attitudes; and a terrible customer service mentality.  They use non-standard phraseology and I've witnessed many times where they're rude and sarcastic to other pilots.  So I responded to the controller with a sarcastic attitude; he replied I should eliminate the sarcasm and remain professional.  I said I'll be professional if you'll be professional.  He then said remain clear of Ramona Class Delta air space.  I replied 'smell you later' and executed a 180 degree turn away from his airspace.  Like I said before; I'm not proud of my behavior. I shouldn't have lowered myself to his level; but those controllers at Ramona Tower are terrible. My next step is finding out how to lodge a formal complaint against them.  I know many other local pilots who've experienced the same issues with them. IMO RNM doesn't need a tower; except during aerial fire fighting Op's.  The airport could function perfectly as an uncontrolled field.  We routinely fly at ZZZ which is uncontrolled and busier than Ramona.  Never have any issues there.
Instructor Pilot reported communication problems associated with Controllers at Ramona airport.