Meetings

Business Cards Help Build Relations

The French don’t have a set formality to exchange business cards, but exchanging them after the initial meeting is considered the appropriate time. Include your advanced academic degrees on your business card. To help build the relations with the French, have the other side of your business card translated in French. This will show that you have a valued interest even though it is not a business necessity.

French Business Meetings Style

Doing business in France you need to make sure you set up the meetings at least 2 weeks in advance. Appointments can be made by phone, letter, or e-mail. Do not schedule any meetings during their common vacation times during the months of July or August.

Punctuality is not like it is in the United States. Being 15 minutes late is perfectly acceptable and further down south, the more flexible this becomes. The French are quite relaxed in this affair. Even though they are relaxed, do not appear over friendly or ask personal questions. Don’t just sit anywhere, wait until they instruct you where to sit. The French don’t look at meetings as a place to decide, but more for discussions. The decisions are generally made at the top of the company rather than from the meeting room. They are more receptive to low-key, rational presentations and arguments are clearly states the main topics.

The Finer Points of Negotiations

Business is conducted slowly so you will have to be patient and not seem ruffled by the strict procedure on how they do business meetings. Negotiations become passionate to the French so you will be judged on your ability to present your agreements logically. Never exaggerate when presenting your topics of discussion; the French appreciate stable, truthful, and open discussions. Debating skills will help in showing your knowledge in all aspects in the business deal.

Meeting can get intense and argumentative which is where debating skills can be an asset. If you have reached a stalemate in business negotiations, you will need to try to approach issues from different angles. When an agreement is reached, the French may insist a well-organized, precisely worded, and comprehensive contract. 

Proper Gift Giving Etiquette

• Never send a gift for a colleague to their home address.
• Never send gifts with the company logo imprinted on them
• When you’re going to give a gift, make it a good quality one wrapped beautifully or none at all.
• When invited over to someone’s home, always bring a gift for the hostess.
• Give flowers in odd numbers, but not 13 it’s considered unlucky.
• Give the highest quality of wine you can afford is appreciative by the French

Work cited

Http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/france-country-profile.html. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2013.

Http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/etiquette/doing-business-france.html. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2013.

"Foreign Translations, Inc." French Business Etiquette Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2013.

"French Business Etiquette Tips." French Business Etiquette Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2013.

"Encyclopedia of the Nations." France. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2013.

Http://talkvietnam.com/2012/11/promotion-of-cooperative-relationships-between-da-nang-and-french-localities/. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2013.

Http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-26/in-the-tax-battle-its-banks-2-france-0. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2013.

French Dress Etiquette for Men and Women

Business dress is an expression of their success and social status and is woven into the fabric of their society. Appropriate dress for a business meetings is important. Be tasteful, stylish, and conservative. Men should wear dark-colored, conservative business suits for the initial meeting. Women are advised to dress simply but elegantly. Accessorizing and wearing makeup is widely practiced by business women. The French enjoy the finer things in life, so wear good quality accessories.

Avoid Rude Body Language

• Sitting straight up with your legs crossed is considered proper, Do not sit with your legs spread apart.
• Using toothpicks, nail clippers, and combs in public is rude.
• Keeping your hands out of pockets is appropriate.
• Leaving the table when you need to sneeze or blow your nose quietly if at all possible and do not scratch or yawn at the table.
• Showing the “okay” sign means “zero” and the “thumbs up” sign to say “okay.”
• Slapping an open palm on a closed fist is considered a vulgar gesture.

Relationships & Communication and Their Networks

To build a business relationship with the France, you need to first build a personable relationship. Mutual trust and respect is earned through proper behavior to get things done. France is big on wide network of close personal business alliances and factions that are strong ties to how they deal with business decisions. France is known for their extremely direct approach in business and are not afraid of asking the probing questions.

Work Cited

« France - Cultural Etiquette - E Diplomat. » France - Cultural Etiquette - E Diplomat. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2013.

Http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/france-country-profile.html. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2013.

Http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/etiquette/doing-business-france.html. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2013.

“Foreign Translations, Inc.” French Business Etiquette Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2013.

“French Business Etiquette Tips.” French Business Etiquette Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2013.

“Encyclopedia of the Nations.” France. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2013.

Http://www.parisiensalon.com/2010/03/paris-social-etiquette-dining-with-the-frenchies/. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2013.

FRANCE BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Bonjour Madame’s and Monsieur’s! This blog is to give you information on business etiquette in France. 

Location and Climate for winter and summer

France is in Western European nation and is the largest land area and lies between the Mediterranean Sea on the southeast and the Bay of Biscay and English Channel to the north and west. The climate is generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, and north-to-northwesterly wind known as mistral.

Population: 60,424,213 (July 2004 EST.)

Two Levels of Business Culture Formality

In France, business takes place in two different levels. The French believe in appearing quite formal in their greetings, manners and in language. One level appears to be professional, organized, and open to new business. Underlying the first level, the second is the most important aspect to the business culture. The second is the network of personal relationships, ties, alliances, and factions that drives business.

Business Etiquette Tips Specific to Different French-Speaking Countries

• Guinea:   Are less formal and you should still wear a collared shirt and tie to business                  meetings.
• France:   Mealtimes are not considered proper times to have a meeting. Wait at least until the dessert course to bring up business.
• Monaco:  Wearing full suits and scheduling formal appointments are foundations of doing business. Monaco business finds it quite rude to start in French and finish in English and make sure if you are not strong on the French language, use a French interpreter.

Greetings in Business, Family, and Close Friends

When doing business with France, the handshake is the formal way of greeting. Friends may greet by a kiss on both checks. Use their surname following either Madame or Monsieur until invited to use their first name. First names are reserved for family and close friends. Academic titles and degrees are very important. You need to make sure you use them properly and know them well. Even if you don’t speak French, make sure you use “bonjour' or 'bonsoir” (good morning or good evening) along with using Madame or Monsieur and their surname. When saying goodbye use

 “au revoir.” The French are very proud of their language and showing an interest promotes good relations.

Work Cited

« France - Cultural Etiquette - E Diplomat. » France - Cultural Etiquette - E Diplomat. N.p., n.d. Web. 25    May 2013.

Http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/france-country-profile.html. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2013.

Http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/etiquette/doing-business-france.html. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2013.

“Foreign Translations, Inc.” French Business Etiquette Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2013.

“Encyclopedia of the Nations.” France. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2013.

YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 27 May 2013

Http://www.houseoffrance.org/animated/Franch_flag_waving.gif. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2013.