Chs_Chick, There are several French people on this forum and several others who have lived in France for varying periods of time. Exactly what cultural differences do you want to know about? Since you are a business major, the assumption would be cultural differences in ways of doing business. Is that what you want?
ManuNice and crc95, can you give some differences you have noticed?
LVB, You have been immersed in both cultures, perhaps you can come up with social cultural differences relating to doing business?
Thanks.
As a tourist, I've noticed more formal dress in France and more formal manners in France. Unless on vacation, I've not seen many French in shorts and certainly not when they appear to be downtown on business. They don't wear baseball caps much and never in restaurants. When they enter a store, they always say hello to the proprietor and when they leave, they say thank you and good bye to the proprietor. I've noticed when people leave a room, they tend to say good bye to everyone else just as a general politeness.
Restaurants are different in France. They expect you to take a long time and to enjoy your meal. They don't interrupt you to ask if everything is okay. The assumption is that your meal is okay unless you point out a problem. They don't interrupt you to give you your check. You only get your check when you ask for it. I really like eating and not being interrupted. Many Americans think it's bad service because it's slow, especially if you don't know you have to ask for that check. The French seem to be able to take the time to enjoy themselves and their families whereas we seem to always be in a hurry to get to the next activity. I find it very relaxing but if I were there on business and trying to get something done quickly, it might be maddening. If you do business in France, you need to be adaptable and flexible. You also need to plan more time than you would here.
The French appreciate intelligence so you should be able to thoroughly defend your business plans and ideas. You should also expect a good argument. It's not quarrelsome, they just want to discuss all aspects and make sure everyone, including you, understands the situation.
ManuNice and crc95, can you give some differences you have noticed?
LVB, You have been immersed in both cultures, perhaps you can come up with social cultural differences relating to doing business?
Thanks.
As a tourist, I've noticed more formal dress in France and more formal manners in France. Unless on vacation, I've not seen many French in shorts and certainly not when they appear to be downtown on business. They don't wear baseball caps much and never in restaurants. When they enter a store, they always say hello to the proprietor and when they leave, they say thank you and good bye to the proprietor. I've noticed when people leave a room, they tend to say good bye to everyone else just as a general politeness.
Restaurants are different in France. They expect you to take a long time and to enjoy your meal. They don't interrupt you to ask if everything is okay. The assumption is that your meal is okay unless you point out a problem. They don't interrupt you to give you your check. You only get your check when you ask for it. I really like eating and not being interrupted. Many Americans think it's bad service because it's slow, especially if you don't know you have to ask for that check. The French seem to be able to take the time to enjoy themselves and their families whereas we seem to always be in a hurry to get to the next activity. I find it very relaxing but if I were there on business and trying to get something done quickly, it might be maddening. If you do business in France, you need to be adaptable and flexible. You also need to plan more time than you would here.
The French appreciate intelligence so you should be able to thoroughly defend your business plans and ideas. You should also expect a good argument. It's not quarrelsome, they just want to discuss all aspects and make sure everyone, including you, understands the situation.