France has the sixth largest economy in the world, with top exports including planes, helicopters, spacecraft, packaged medicaments, cars, vehicle parts and wine; and top imports including cars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, aircraft parts and petroleum gas (OEC, n.d.). France’s major trading partners are Germany, Belgium-Luxembourg, Italy, the United States, China and Spain (OEC, n.d.). France is a world leader with regard to innovation, as well as research and development in telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and civil engineering, and is also the world’s leading tourist destination (Today Translations, n.d.).
The French are very proud of their craftsmanship and many work hard and are productive while at work; however, they are not motivated by competition, do not respect the work ethic, do not have a desire to emulate workers and they completely disconnect from their jobs after work hours (Lebowitz, 2017; Moran, Abramson & Moran, 2014, p. 478, 480).
It is very important for visitors to know that the government is a major factor in French work culture. The French have some of the strictest labor laws in the world. The government oversees how many hours can be legally worked in a week, restricts overtime and mandates vacation and sick time, as well as maternity and parental leave, etc. (Expatica, 2019). In direct contrast to France, the U.S., on a national level, does not regulate paid parental leave, sick or vacation time or how many hours a worker can work in a week (Miller, 2018). The French also have 30 days of paid vacation a year and 89% of French workers will use all of their vacation days compared to only 57% of Americans who will use all of their vacation time, which is on average 13 days per year (Lebowtiz, 2017).
When Americans, in particular, go to France to conduct business, it is imperative that he/she does their homework before they go to avoid potential conflicts. Here are a few helpful tips.
- The French do not define themselves by their job position or profession, they completely disconnect from their jobs after work, and they believe that it is socially unacceptable to ask what a person’s profession is upon an initial introduction (Lebowitz, 2017).
- The French are very formal. To make a good first impression, address superiors by using appropriate titles like Monsieur or Madame, introduce yourself using your first and last name, handshakes should be brisk and light, learn a few gestures and French phrases, wear high quality business attire and avoid high pressure sales techniques (Ronin, 2019; Moran, Abramson & Moran, 2014, p. 483; Today Translations, n.d.).
- Again, appearance is very important. Note that informal dress typically means a jacket and tie for men and they do not have casual Fridays (Ronin, 2019; Today Translations, n.d.).
- Proper business etiquette includes visitors being punctual, having good posture, maintaining non-obtrusive eye contact and keeping hands out of their pockets (Today Translations, n.d.).
- The French are very private and they do not share personal information with coworkers or strangers in the beginning of a relationship (Lebowitz, 2017; Today Translations, n.d.).
- Always accept lunch invitations and be aware that the lunch could take more than two hours, which may include a full course meal and wine (Today Translations, n.d.). Keep in mind that business conversation starts after dessert, and your wine glass will be repeatedly topped off if the glass is empty (Expatica, n.d.). Dinner invitations are rare because most workers prefer to go home to be with their families (Today Translations, n.d.).
- The French are straightforward, enjoy confrontation and debate, and may even make fun of people and institutions (Lebowitz, 2017; Moran, Abramson & Moran, 2014, p. 480; Today Translations, n.d.). They will give direct negative feedback and rarely give positive feedback (Lebowitz, 2017; Moran, Abramson & Moran, 2014, p. 480; Today Translations, n.d.).
- Meetings tend to run long because of in depth conversations (Lebowitz, 2017).
- When invited to someone’s home, do not give roses or chrysanthemums because these flowers are associated with death and funerals, and also do not show up with a bottle of wine because this is considered an insult to the host’s ability to choose a nice bottle (Moran, Abramson & Moran, 2014, p. 483; Today’s Translations, n.d.).
- Do not talk about Napoleon or their politics, but visitors need to be prepared to answer questions about their views on politics and their history (Today Translations, n.d.).
- The French are known to interrupt when someone else is talking; however, do not take offense, as this is a sign that they are interested in the speaker and the discussion (Moran, Abramson & Moran, 2014, p. 483; Today Translation, n.d.).
References
Expatica (2019, November 12). French labour laws working time and leave. Retrieved November 17, 2019 from https://www.expatica.com/fr/employment/employment-law/french-labour-laws-working-time-and-leave-104533/
Miller, G.E. (2018, January 2). The U.S. is the most overworked developed nation in the world. Twenty Something Finance. Retrieved November 17, 2019 from https://20somethingfinance.com/american-hours-worked-productivity-vacation/
Lebowitz, S. (2017, August 1). Eight things that drive French people nuts about American offices and vice versa. Business Insider. Retrieved November 17, 2019 from https://www.businessinsider.com/differences-between-french-american-work-culture-2017-7#many-american-workers-define-themselves-by-their-profession-most-french-workers-dont-1
Ronin, K. (2019, November 12). Ten tips on French business etiquette. Expatica. Retrieved November 17, 2019 from https://www.expatica.com/fr/employment/employment-basics/10-tips-on-french-business-etiquette-108353/
Today Translations (n.d.). Doing business in France. Retrieved November 17, 2019 from https://www.todaytranslations.com/consultancy-services/business-culture-and-etiquette/doing-business-in-france/