Business Etiquette
Business etiquettes encompass the various prescriptive elements of a culture which include verbal & non-verbal communication, communication styles, preferred speaking distance, dress & demeanour and the interpretation of time. The knowledge of a country’s business etiquettes not only helps managers in carrying out business transactions with ease but also earning the trust of their partners [1]. The French have formal rules covering each aspect of a business meeting described below.
Greeting & Essential formalities
The French shake hands in a light, brisk wherever they meet which may even happen multiple times in a day with the same person. With slowly growing familiarity, an outsider may be inducted into the ‘Les Bise’, a form of French kissing where the participants kiss each other close to the cheek but in the air multiple times in rounds of 2 and 4 that varies according to the region. However, restraint should be exercised by a visiting manager as it is often the prerogative of the French host to initiate the act. The French though Republican are extremely proud of honorific titles and expect their position to be recognized. While addressing colleagues or partners for the first time, a Monsieur or Madame precedes the name. The first name and last name, along with the department is used while introducing oneself. Business Dress Code France being the nation that created ‘haute couture’ puts a premium on style and many strong first impressions are formed on one’s dress & accessories. Even entry level managers in France spend a good part of their income buying the best clothes they can afford as it is indicative of their social standing and relative success.[2] Dark coloured conservative suits with matching ties, socks & shoes are worn by men and business suits and light coloured dresses are worn by women. Women managers are expected to be careful with make-up and use good quality accessories. It …show more content…
Professionalism is highly valued and is the key to acceptance by one’s French counterparts. The French also give importance to hierarchy and do not favour cross level working. Therefore, it is best to have managers of the same level approaching each other for the first meeting[3]. Business cards, with one side printed in French are most likely to create a positive impact on a French counterpart.
Seeking appointments before a meeting are necessary, else unplanned visits are construed as acts of rudeness. Time sensitivity varies moving across the length of the country, Southern French managers may turn up fairly late for meetings & are not expected to apologize for their behaviour[4]. However, it is advisable for a visiting manager to err on the side of caution and be no more than 10 minutes late for a meeting.
Meetings in France follow a fixed agenda and the speaker is frequently interrupted and asked probing questions. Though one is not expected to argue & disagree in public, a controlled debate is often encouraged as it shows one involvement in the meeting.
Gifting …show more content…
Food should only be partaken once the host or a senior manager announces ‘bon-appetit’. There are specific rituals around the way cheese is cut, fruits are eaten, bread is broken etc. and has to be learnt by an expatriate over time.
Paying attention to the various facets of the French business etiquettes and being sensitive to one’s body language to maintain decorum & appropriateness in the French context is important to clinch business deals and has to be proactively practised by a visiting manager.
1. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/business-etiquette-important-3112.html
2. http://businessculture.org/western-europe/business-culture-in-france/business-etiquette-in-france/
3. http://www.intercultural.nl/Publications-Detail.aspx?GroupID7c9ece9c-8800-47c4-91e4-341b2a57895a=e772c8d0-319f-41a2-a932-adf3baa86dd1&ItemID7c9ece9c-8800-47c4-91e4-341b2a57895a=08207c23-2102-4f84-9adb-116fadf9b1cf
4. http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_fr.htm
5.
Business etiquettes encompass the various prescriptive elements of a culture which include verbal & non-verbal communication, communication styles, preferred speaking distance, dress & demeanour and the interpretation of time. The knowledge of a country’s business etiquettes not only helps managers in carrying out business transactions with ease but also earning the trust of their partners [1]. The French have formal rules covering each aspect of a business meeting described below.
Greeting & Essential formalities
The French shake hands in a light, brisk wherever they meet which may even happen multiple times in a day with the same person. With slowly growing familiarity, an outsider may be inducted into the ‘Les Bise’, a form of French kissing where the participants kiss each other close to the cheek but in the air multiple times in rounds of 2 and 4 that varies according to the region. However, restraint should be exercised by a visiting manager as it is often the prerogative of the French host to initiate the act. The French though Republican are extremely proud of honorific titles and expect their position to be recognized. While addressing colleagues or partners for the first time, a Monsieur or Madame precedes the name. The first name and last name, along with the department is used while introducing oneself. Business Dress Code France being the nation that created ‘haute couture’ puts a premium on style and many strong first impressions are formed on one’s dress & accessories. Even entry level managers in France spend a good part of their income buying the best clothes they can afford as it is indicative of their social standing and relative success.[2] Dark coloured conservative suits with matching ties, socks & shoes are worn by men and business suits and light coloured dresses are worn by women. Women managers are expected to be careful with make-up and use good quality accessories. It …show more content…
Professionalism is highly valued and is the key to acceptance by one’s French counterparts. The French also give importance to hierarchy and do not favour cross level working. Therefore, it is best to have managers of the same level approaching each other for the first meeting[3]. Business cards, with one side printed in French are most likely to create a positive impact on a French counterpart.
Seeking appointments before a meeting are necessary, else unplanned visits are construed as acts of rudeness. Time sensitivity varies moving across the length of the country, Southern French managers may turn up fairly late for meetings & are not expected to apologize for their behaviour[4]. However, it is advisable for a visiting manager to err on the side of caution and be no more than 10 minutes late for a meeting.
Meetings in France follow a fixed agenda and the speaker is frequently interrupted and asked probing questions. Though one is not expected to argue & disagree in public, a controlled debate is often encouraged as it shows one involvement in the meeting.
Gifting …show more content…
Food should only be partaken once the host or a senior manager announces ‘bon-appetit’. There are specific rituals around the way cheese is cut, fruits are eaten, bread is broken etc. and has to be learnt by an expatriate over time.
Paying attention to the various facets of the French business etiquettes and being sensitive to one’s body language to maintain decorum & appropriateness in the French context is important to clinch business deals and has to be proactively practised by a visiting manager.
1. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/business-etiquette-important-3112.html
2. http://businessculture.org/western-europe/business-culture-in-france/business-etiquette-in-france/
3. http://www.intercultural.nl/Publications-Detail.aspx?GroupID7c9ece9c-8800-47c4-91e4-341b2a57895a=e772c8d0-319f-41a2-a932-adf3baa86dd1&ItemID7c9ece9c-8800-47c4-91e4-341b2a57895a=08207c23-2102-4f84-9adb-116fadf9b1cf
4. http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_fr.htm
5.