Foreign Staffing, Inc.

Practicing proper French business etiquette willaid business people hoping to expand intoFrench markets The French take great pride infulfilling the proper and perfect French Businessetiquette.

They will always be polite in social and businesssettings and maintain perfect corporateprotocol as well as dining etiquette.

Before traveling to France, it would be beneficialto study the culture, learn some French wines,know dining etiquette (the order of food coursesduring a meal, which utensils to use, etc.) andeven familiarize yourself with different cheeses.To the French, language is sacred and to behandled with due care.

When you arrive in France, show your respect forthis beloved language by apologizingimmediately for not speaking proper French,and then feel free to continue the conversation.Proper knowledge and performance of Frenchbusiness etiquette will serve you well as you formstrong ties with your new colleagues in thisromantic and historical country.

Polite formal greeting is always

expected. Maintain strong eye

contact with your French

colleagues, and don’t be alarmed

as the French tend to keep intense

eye contact.

Keep everything formal when

constructing documents, agendas,

plans, contracts even emails.

And to really impress your new

colleagues, offer a formal and

professional translation of all

communications.

Once the initial greeting has

been completed, exchange

business cards. To continue on the

right path of practicing proper

French etiquette, be sure to

include a French translation of

your business cards.

People in France take their

vacations in July and August.

During the month of August

business is essentially shut down so

avoid scheduling meetings when

most French are away.

And during your travels, it is best to

schedule meetings between 11:00

am and 3:00pm.

For the French who are culturally

refined and conservative,

exaggerating may come off as

bragging and obnoxiously

boasting.

During business discussions

debating is good and shows proper

respect and support for each

position. French business people

want partners who can see both

perspectives and who have their

own opinions.

While it is important to show proper cultural

respect through conservative dress, keep in

mind that Europeans are very fashionable

and current in style so keep an eye out for

some popular trends before meeting up with

your new partners in France.