Doing Business in

Jacob Tanti | Filippe Silva | Harold Pijpelink

Mattheus Falcao| Niloufar Sayadi

History of France
Stone tools recovered in France suggest that early
humans may have inhabited the region at least 1.5
million years ago.
Neanderthals, who inhabited France during the Middle
Paleolithic period (90,000-40,000 B.C.), are the first
known people to have lived in the region.
During the last ice age humans called Cro-Magnons lived
in France.
By about 500 AD a people called the Franks ruled
northern France (they gave their name to France).
During the 17th and 18th century, France was a monarchy
1789: French Revolution
Transforming into modern day France

Geography of France in Europe

Five Dimensions of Culture

High context, communication is often implied
High individualism, uniqueness and freedom of opinion
Future oriented
Large power distance, strict hierarchy
Emotionally expressive communication style

French Culture: Did you know?

McDonalds in France
In 1979 McDonalds entered the French market
Attention to French culture and needs
Altered recipes for French market
Changes in formula i.e. McCaf, McSalad

Appearance and Dress

The French are very conscientious of appearance
The higher the position, the more formal the dress code
Dress conservative and invest in well-tailored clothing
Patterned fabrics and dark colors are most acceptable
French businessmen do not loosen their ties or take off their
jackets in the office.
Women dress conservatively. Avoid bright or gaudy colors
Avoid glitzy or overpowering objects, such as flashy jewelry

Body Language
Good posture is essential
Eye contact, if not too obtrusive
Close distance between people, touching and patting is
commonplace
Slapping an open palm over a closed fist is considered rude
The OK sign means "zero" or "useless. It's best to show
approval by raising your thumb
The number of times the French kiss each other as a form of
greeting varies depending on region

Greetings
Handshake
Kissing cheeks: Colleagues at work
Titles of Courtesy

Dining Etiquette
Lunches are the norm when doing business in France.
Lunches usually consist of an appetizer, main course
(with wine), cheese, dessert, and coffee.
Up to two hours
Rules:
Bon Appetit!
Pass to the left
Wrist above table, eat everything on the plate
Be careful with adding salt, pepper, or any sauces
The person extending the invitation always pays

Gift Giving
Gift giving is not common by the French
Host a special event or dinner

When invited to dinner

Bring flowers, quality chocolate, or liquor
Present the gift before the entertainment begins
Send flowers the day of the event
Make sure gifts are elegant
Do not include your business logo on gifts (vulgar)
Dont bring wine, unless it represents your country or is
champagne

Time Structure

Strong division between personal and professional life

Statutory work week: 35 hours
Flexible work hours
Long lunch breaks, up to 2 hours

Work hours:
Offices are open from 8 am or 9 am to 12:00/12:30 pm and
then from 2/2:30 pm to 6 pm
Retail stores are usually open until 8 pm

Decision Making Traditions

French companies tend towards rigid hierarchy
Decisions, once taken at senior levels, will be passed down
the chain to lower management for implementation
Meetings sometimes appear to be a rubber-stamping
exercise
Pre-meeting lobbying

Gender Roles
Mostly traditional
More female employment due to government
Domestic work division not changing

Authority and Conflict Resolution

Cultural values play a big role
Authority through merit is respected
Conflict is initially resolved through conversation
Disagreement is useful
Arbitration widely accepted, mediation is not

Works Cited
Crompton,Rosemary, and Clare Lyonette. "Work-Life 'Balance'
in
Europe."Acta Sociologica, 49.4 (2006): 379-393.
"Doing Business in France." Asia News Monitor. March 07 2014.
ProQuest. Web. 29 Oct. 2015 .
J. Hurn,Brian. "Body Language a Minefield for International
Business
People."Industrial and Commercial Training, 46.4
(2014): 188- 193.
MACHEREL, CLAUDE. DON ET RCIPROCIT EN
EUROPE.European Journal of Sociology / Archives
Europennes de Sociologie / Europisches Archiv fr
Soziologie24.1 (1983): 151166. Web...
Paucar-Caceres, A. (2009). Pragmatism and rationalism in the
development of management science methodologies in
the UK
and France. Systems Research and Behavioral
Science, 26(4),
429.