European Business Etiquette: FRANCE

Selling via the Internet means you may have clients, or potential clients, whose cultures you don’t understand very well. This group of articles on European Business Etiquette will give you some idea what to expect when conducting business with our European neighbours.

This article was compiled following a survey of European partners through the EU funded Leonardo da Vinci programme ‘Virtual Incubator for the Creative Industries’ (VIC) project, and reference to web sites such as www.executiveplanet.com where national executives explain their own cultures, and another EU funded Leonardo da Vinci programme project called ‘Passport to Trade BETA’ at www.businessculture.org

The information refers to business in general. Entrepreneurs in the creative industries might find some aspects (for example, dress code, and where business discussions take place) a little more relaxed in their sectors!

Introductions

How formal must first introductions be?	Very, with full titles
How long before we use first names?	Can take a while
Does everyone shake hands?	Yes
How many kisses should I expect?	2 if they know you well

Additional Comments

Use Madam or Monsieur. ‘Madamoiselle’ is not often used now.

Meetings

Do meetings start on time?	Yes
If not, how much leeway can there be?	Few minutes
Will the meeting have a formal chair person?	Yes
Will there be a strict agenda (topics and time)?	No
Will official minutes be taken and circulated?	Usually

Additional Comments

Don’t be over-familiar too quickly. Expect digressions from topic of discussion, but down worry, it’ll come around again. Logic and detail are valued. They will examine every aspect of a project before committing to it.

Business Communication

Are official business letters acceptable by fax?	Yes
Are official business letters acceptable by email?	Yes
How formal is the language used?	Very formal
Should I expect many phone calls?	Yes
Should I expect video-conferences?	No

Dress Code

Do people wear formal dress (suits, jackets, ties) for meetings?	Yes
Can I remove my jacket during the meeting?	Yes
Will dress be formal for business dinners?	Yes

Additional Comments

Good quality clothes and care in appearance are very important in creating the right impression. Women are expected to accessorise.

Negotiating

Are the most important decisions made in a meeting?	Yes
Do negotiations take place during lunch?	Yes
Do negotiations take place during dinner?	Sometimes
Will there be small talk before negotiations?	Yes
Are negotiations held back until a social rapport is established?	No, but it is important

Additional Comments

Business negotiations are more likely to take place over lunch than dinner, but not until dessert is served with either meal. Lunches can last a few hours, and it’s important not to leave before everyone has finished coffee.

Don’t assume that French negotiators will be too flexible – they prefer to stay within their cultural boundaries.

Gifts

Are gifts expected on the first meeting?	No, but appreciated
If so, what type?	Your regional food or an illustrative book
Are gifts expected at dinner?	If at home, take flowers or quality chocolate
Is there any gift that would be inappropriate?	Anything of poor quality

Additional Comments

Do not take red roses, carnations or chrysanthemums; and make sure there are an odd number of flowers.

Avoid giving wine unless you understand it, and can talk about the bottle you have brought. Hosts generally prefer to choose the wine they offer with a meal, and are likely to present it with ceremony.

Food and Drinks

Is hospitality generally offered?	Yes
Does refusal cause offence?	Yes
If so, in a restaurant or at home?	Restaurant
Does it generally involve a lot of alcohol?	No
What’s the word for "Cheers”	Sante

Additional Comments

You are likely be offered wine frequently, but not expected to drink a lot. Compliment the food, and ask about the wine and the region it comes from.

Social Etiquette

Do people leave plenty of personal space, or stand close together?	Depends how well you know them
Would a casual touch to the arm be offensive?	No

Social Taboos (What topics or activities should be avoided?)

Avoid discussion about religion or money. Don’t ask about a person’s job as a conversational opener. Personal party politics tend not to be brought into conversation.

General cuisine and travel are safe topics of conversation.

Gestures (What are they and what do they mean?)

Don’t snap your fingers, it’s taken as an insult.

Manners (What would cause offence?)

Rudeness, lateness, rowdy behaviour and chewing gum in street are all offensive.

The French are quite reserved, formal and polite, so don’t offend them by being loud, being over-demonstrative or hugging them.