France

Greetings

Man greeting Man - Men shake hands when greeting one another while maintaining direct eye contact. Good friends may include a light hug.

Woman greeting Woman- Light kisses on the cheeks, known as “bises,” are the most common form of greeting in France. Often times it is just a light touching of cheeks rather than actual kisses. However, it is very rude to “faire des bises” if you are sick. In this case you can simply say hello or shake hands. At a first meeting, women generally shake hands.

Greetings between Men & Women- Light kisses on the cheeks, known as “bises,” are the most common form of greeting for friends and family. Often times it is just a light touching of cheeks rather than actual kisses. At a first meeting a regular handshake will do. It is customary to let the woman offer her hand first.

Note: The number of kisses also varies depending on the region of France. In Nantes, you greet with four kisses, alternating cheeks. In the south, it is two kisses. Foreigners often have a hard time determining which side to kiss first. In this case, follow the French person’s lead.

Communication Style

• French people are usually direct but in a diplomatic way. The will tell you the truth but often in a polite manner.
• Do not be intimidated if the French seem distant at first. They are in fact quite warm and witty once you get to know them. It’s worth the effort.
• Many French are also hesitant to speak English, so knowing even just a few words in French can get you a long way.
• In the south, it is much more common to kiss three times than two, particularly in the south central and south eastern regions (from the Languedoc Roussillon to the P.A.C.A. region).

Personal Space & Touch

• An arm's length distance or a bit closer is an appropriate amount of personal space.
• Given the close nature of the French greeting with kisses, the French are generally more at ease maintaining personal space.
• The French may seem reserved upon first meeting. However, during subsequent meetings, touching during a conversation is acceptable and considered a sign of affection.

Eye Contact

• It is seen as extremely rude to not look someone in the eyes when speaking, especially when shaking hands. It is also important to have a firm and confident hand shake.

Gestures

• There are a myriad of French gestures used on a daily basis.
• Wiping the brow with one hand means “that’s enough” or “I can’t take it anymore.”
• Turning your palm upwards and touching your thumb to your fingers means “I’m afraid.”
• Making a fist, touching your nose like you are squeezing a clown nose and slightly turning it from side to side means “drunk” or “tipsy.”
• Loosely grabbing your throat with one hand means “unbelievable” or “yeah right.”
• The "Bof" or "Gallic Shrug" is done by raising your shoulders, holding up your hands palms out and raising your eyebrows. It usually means "I don't know" or "It's not my fault."
• Tapping the side of your nose with your index finger usually means that one is clever/smart.
• To indicate that something is expensive, most French hold out their hands with their fingers and thumb touching, and rub the thumb across the fingertips.

Views of Time

• The pace of French life depends on the region. Life in Paris is fast and urban while life in Provence or “la profound” (the deep heartland) is much slower.
• When invited for dinner, being "fashionably late" (arriving ten minutes to a half an hour after the expected time) is not unusual. However, it is considered unprofessional to be late for a business meeting.
• Trains and buses are mostly on time. Except when there are union strikes, which happen quite often in France. In this case, plan on walking.

Gender Roles

• Thirty years ago, women were expected to stay at home and raise the kids. Nowadays, while still not earning as much as men, women are just as likely to work outside the home as be stay at home moms.
• There is a high divorce rate in France. Around 40% of marriages end in divorce, leading to more women in the work force.

Taboos

• It is quite comical to see large groups greet one another, with everyone giving kisses and exchanging pleasantries, it can take quite a while to greet everyone. Even if it takes a while, it is often seen as a bit rude or exclusive if you do not say hello to everyone when arriving.
• Making a fist with one hand and slapping the top of it with the other hand is a rude gesture.
• Avoid putting your feet up on chairs and tables.
• Talking about the cohabitation period with the Nazi (WWII) is a big no-no.
• People are very liberal about their sexual orientation but discussing it is a personal matter. No one should ever be asked what it is, because it is their own business, no one else's.
• Discussing one's wealth is a big taboo. You might say what you do for a living, but do not ask any questions about salary or bonuses.

Law & Order

• Wine, among other alcohol, is a staple in the French lifestyle and it is completely normal to start drinking at a fairly young age. The official drinking age is 18, although it is not uncommon to start much younger.
• The legal smoking age is 18 but is not readily enforced. Anti-smoking school programs are just now starting to sensitize students to the harms of smoking.
• In 2008, the French government imposed a smoking ban in cafes, bars and restaurants. People in rural are protesting, seeing the ban as an affront to personal liberty. However, the rest of the country seems to have accepted the fact that they have to now go outside to have a smoke.

Dress

• French people value looking good and have a keen sense of style.
• For men: conservative yet stylish suits with shirts and ties.
• For women: stylish business suits or dresses and blouses. Accessories are usually worn.
• Parisians are known for their sense of classy style and most men and women wear suits to work in the city.
• Professors and teachers often wear jeans to work.

Titles & Business Cards

• Titles are important and it is best to address people directly by using Mr., Mrs., or Miss, followed by the surname. Note: "Monsieur" is for Mr, "Madame" is Mrs. and "Mademoiselle" is Miss.
• You should always wait to be invited to use first names before doing so yourself.
• There is no specific protocol surrounding the giving and receiving of business cards. It is always best to treat the card with respect.

Meetings

• Arriving on time for a meeting is important. Punctuality is valued.
• Business meetings tend to be structured but not overly formal, beginning and ending with a bit of small talk. However, it is best to wait to be told where to sit.
• The main purpose of meetings are to discuss, not to make decisions.

Negotiations

• It is best to remain cool and professional; avoid any sort of confrontation and do not resort to hard sell tactics.
• The French tend to take time when negotiating. Do not rush them or appear impatient. Expect a great deal of time to be spent reviewing details before a final decision is made.
• Decisions tend to be made from the top down.

Gift Giving

• Gifts are not generally exchanged at initial business meetings.
• When invited over for dinner or a drink, you should always bring the hostess a gift, either a bottle of high quality wine or a dessert is acceptable.
• Gifts tend to be opened when received.
  

In the Classroom

• School starts in the beginning of September and ends towards the end of June.
• There is a fall break for All-Saints Day, two weeks for Christmas, one week in February and another week in April.
• May is also a popular month because there are a lot of national holidays and thus long weekends.
• Any provocative attire is not seen as acceptable in a school setting.
• In 2004, ban was passed on all conspicuous religious symbols in schools, effectively banning headscarves, turbans, yarmulkes, large cross necklaces etc.
• Grades are based on a scale from 0-20 with 20 being perfect and nearly impossible to attain. An average grade to receive would be a 10.
• At the university level, lecture style classes are the most common form of teaching, especially at the introductory level.

Other Observations

• Get involved in a club of some sort and make every effort to make French friends.
• If you stay within your comfort zone, so will the French.