What should I expect when doing business in France? That is a question many people ask themselves, yet few master…
10. Family name
The French are fanatical about family. To most French people, family has a certain je ne sais quoi.
If you are ever doing business in France and you see a Frenchman’s name written down, his/her last name will usually be spelled using all capitals. This is to make sure that the family name stands out and looks to be the most important.
If you find yourself in France, it’s probably best that you do it for your own name, and other people’s names too! (Especially if they’re French!)
9. Business cards
When doing business in France, the business card is key.
If you are meeting a business acquaintance for the first time, and they’ll need to contact you, you should probably give them your business card.
But it’s not just the business card that’s important, but also what is one that business card. Most French people assume that if you’re doing business in France, you should probably make it so they can read your business card.
Most French businessmen assume that one side of your business card will be in French, and the other side of the card will be in your own (native) language.
That means that you may have to translate your business card into French, in order for your French business associates to believe that you are worthy of their business.
8. Business attire
It’s often said that “The French care about two things in life: clothes and wine!” Perhaps that is just stereotypical, however, it is in fact true for the former in that saying!
As we covered in our article on French culture, the French are very fanatical about their clothes, and believe that it can say a lot about the person, their heritage, their class and their work ethic.
If you are doing business in France, be sure to impress by turning up in impeccable business attire, even if it’s a Friday at four O’clock!
Because, the French values things like a strong work ethic and timeliness over everything else. That means that even if you’re offering a great deal, you may still find yourself losing French business as a result!
7. Acknowledge places outside of Paris
It’s tempting, we know. But, there are places in France that are indeed not Paris. In fact, like many major European countries, Paris has several major secondary business hubs! this includes places like Marseilles, Rennes, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Lyon.
It may be tempting just to think that all major French companies are based in Paris, indeed many are, but just as many aren’t as well!
If you are doing business in France and find that you aren’t doing business in Paris, don’t simply sit there and enjoy it! If you find yourself in Rennes, why not try to practice some Breton?!
If you find yourself in Toulouse, why not substitute the Champs-Élysées for the Airbus assembly hub in Toulouse! (Trust me, the latter is absolutely spectacular!)
6. Don’t talk about personal matters
Let’s face it, when you’re conducting business, the last thing anyone wants to hear is your sob story about your last holiday to Spain, where your kid got hurt on the beach. And the French especially so.
Especially don’t do this during your first encounter with them either! Trust me, it will certainly not go down well!
If you know your business associates well, and have done many interactions with them, they are more likely to be happy with you talking about personal matters, but as a general rule, play it safe and don’t do it until they do it to you first!
5. Try French
OK, you’re in France, doing business with French people, probably eating French food, probably drinking French wine. So why wouldn’t you want to practice your French in the first place?!
If you try speaking French with Frenchmen in the beginning, they are more likely to be more accommodating of you, and even help you where you are struggling! If you are struggling too much, they will usually be happy to switch into English in order to finish it!
There’s also a big advantage for your business too! If you actively try to speak French, you on average get a better deal than those who don’t!
4. French meetings
In France, meetings are often scheduled weeks, if not months in advance. This makes it so that there is ample time for you to organize yourself so that you are able to attend, on time, without any excuses.
In France, it is seen as very bad form for someone to schedule a meeting very quickly, as this will often lead to people missing the meeting which is completely unacceptable to the French!
The French are also very pedantic about timeliness. They cannot stand it if you are late, often looking down on it. They will also expect that there is a very good reason for this as well as an swift and very sincere apology for your lateness.
3. Foreigners in France
Chances are, you are probably going to be a foreigner when doing business in France. This does put you on a slightly lower pedastul as many French people are somewhat, if not very patriotic.
This means that you, as a foreigner will be viewed differently.
If you are from a country with (historically) good ties with France, you are probably going to be fine (countries such as the Unites States). However, if you are from a country that hasn’t always been friendly to France eg. the UK, then this may cause an issue!
2. Gender equality
If you ever find yourself doing business in France, it’s probably best to bring along a female member of upper management.
Females and males are generally seen as equals in French business culture, however some gender inequality is tolerated in the provinces more so than in large cities.
In France, flirting is seen as OK for both males and females, and French men are usually willing to pay foreign women a compliment or to, that may seem like sexual harassment in the UK or US, but is perfectly OK in France.
Compliments based on what someone is wearing or their choice of perfume is completely OK in France, but in the UK or US, may come across as slightly odd or even as sexual harassment.
1. Taboos
Every culture has their own taboos. To the people who live in that culture, the taboo may seem rather innocent or correct, however can raise eyebrows in other countries.
France is no different, their taboos include things like:
- Wealth– Do not try to flaunt or discuss your wealth, it is considered incredibly bad taste!
- Never ask what someone’s salary is
- It is extremely bad form to ask a Frenchmen about their political leanings, as politics is very personal. However, you can ask their opinion on the political system or leaders!
- Hands out of your pockets!
- Always use “Vous“ until you are asked if you can use the “tu” form
What else should you know about doing business in France? Remember, if you are looking to do business in France, our translation services are world class!