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FRANCE

CULTURE AND FOLK CUSTOMS

Facts and Statistics

Location: Western Europe, bordering Andorra 56.6 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km, Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 km.

Size: 260.558 square km.

Capital: Paris, population 2.5 million.

Government: French republic.

Climate: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-north-westerly wind known as mistral.

Population: 65 million.

Ethnic Make-up: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities.

Religions: Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4%.

Government: republic

Most people associate French culture with Paris, which is a center of fashion, cuisine, art and architecture, but life outside of the City of Lights is very different and varies by region.

France doesn't just have different cultures; the word "culture" actually comes from France. "'Culture' derives from the same French term, which in turn derives from the Latin colere, meaning to tend to the earth and grow, cultivation and nurture." Historically, French culture was influenced by Celtic and Gallo-Roman cultures as well as the Franks, a Germanic tribe. France was initially defined as the western area of Germany known as Rhineland but it later came to refer to a territory that was known as Gaul during the Iron Age and Roman era.

Languages

French is the dominant language of the country’s 66 million residents, but there are a number of variants based on region. French, the official language, is the first language of 88 percent of the population. French is the second most widely learned foreign language in the world, with almost 120 million students. About 3 percent of the population speaks German dialects and there is a small group of Flemish speakers in the northeast. Arabic is the third-largest minority language.

Those living near the border of Italy may speak Italian as a second language, and Basque is spoken by people living along the French-Spanish border.

Religion

Catholicism is the predominant religion of France. 64 percent of the population (about 41.6 million people) identified themselves as Roman Catholic. 7.5 percent (4.7 million people) are Muslim. The Jewish population was 310,000; there were 280,000 Buddhists and 30,000 Hindus. Nearly 18 million people practiced folk religions, "other" religions or no religion ("unaffiliated").

Values

The French take immense great pride in their nation and government and are typically offended by any negative comments about their country. Visitors, particularly Americans, often interpret their attitude toward foreigners as rude.

The expression "chauvinism" originated in France around 1851. While women are playing a greater role in family life and business, many still see it as a male-dominated culture.

Even the country’s top politicians have been known to carry out extramarital affairs without making an effort to conceal them. As a reflection of the country’s secular nature, about half of children are born to unmarried couples.

From around the 16th century, in Europe, culture became a term for the cultivation of the mind, the intellect, knowledge, learning, creative faculties and acceptable ways of behaving. The French believe in égalité, which means equality, and is part of the country’s motto: Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité.

French cuisine

Food and wine are central to life at all socioeconomic levels, and much socializing is done around lengthy dinners.

While cooking styles have changed to emphasize lighter fare, many still associate French cooking with heavy sauces and complicated preparation. Some classic French dishes include boeuf bourguignon — a stew made of beef braised in red wine, beef broth and seasoned with garlic, onions and mushrooms — and coq au vin, a dish made with chicken, Burgundy wine, lardons (small strips or cubes of pork fat), button mushrooms, onions and optional garlic.

Currently, traditional French cooking is on the decline. Seventy percent of the restaurants in France are using prepared meals instead of fresh cuisine that is a cornerstone of the culture.

Clothing

Paris is known as the home to many high-end fashion houses, such as Dior, Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Many French people dress in a sophisticated, professional and fashionable style, but it is not overly fussy. Typical outfits include nice dresses, suits, long coats, scarves and berets.

The term haute couture is associated with French fashion and loosely means fancier garments that are handmade or made to order. In France, the term is protected by law and is defined by the Paris Chamber of Commerce. "To earn the right to call itself a couture house and to use the term haute couture in its advertising and any other way, a fashion house must follow these rules:

1. Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings.

2. Have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen people full-time.

3. Each season (i.e. twice a year) presents a collection to the Paris press, comprising at least thirty-five runs/exits with outfits for both daytime wear and evening wear."

French art

Art is everywhere in France — particularly in Paris and other major cities — and Gothic, Romanesque Rococo and Neoclassical influences can be seen in many churches and other public buildings.

Many of history’s most renowned artists, including Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Camille Pissarro, sought inspiration in Paris, and they gave rise to the Impressionist movement.

The Louvre Museum in Paris is among the world’s largest museums and is home to many famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.

Holidays and celebrations

The French celebrate the traditional Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter. They mark May Day, also known as Labor Day, on May 1. Victory in Europe Day on May 8 commemorates the end of hostilities in Europe in World War II. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14. This is the day the Bastille fortress in Paris was stormed by revolutionaries to start the French Revolution.

Kissing in France

To kiss or not to kiss, that is the question. It’s best to take it slowly when negotiating this social minefield and to take your cue from the French. You shouldn’t kiss (faire la bise) when first introduced to an adult, although young children will expect to be kissed. If a woman expects you to kiss her, she will offer her cheek. (Note that men kiss women and women kiss women but men don’t kiss men, unless they’re relatives or very close friends.) The ‘kiss’ is deposited high up on the cheek.

Finally, you must decide how many kisses to give. Two is the standard number, although many people kiss three or four or even six times. It depends partly on where you are in France. However, much also depends on how well you know the person concerned: acquaintances might kiss twice, friends four times and old friends six!

Kissing usually takes place when you take your leave, as well as when you greet someone. (It’s also customary to kiss everyone in sight – including the men if you’re a man – at midnight on New Year’s Eve!)

Phone Calls

Always introduce yourself before asking to speak to someone on the telephone. Surprisingly it’s common to telephone at meal times, e.g. 12.00 to 14.00 and around 20.00, when you can usually be assured of finding someone at home. If you call at these times, you should apologize for disturbing the household. It isn’t always advisable to make calls after 14.00 in the provinces, when many people have a siesta.

Business culture in France

France is one of the most modern and highly-developed countries in the world, with one of the largest economies, and is a leader among European nations. While France continues to be proud of its rich history and independence, French leaders are increasingly seeking to tie the future of France to the continued development of the European Union.

France has a surface area of over 550,000 km2, including overseas territories. This makes it the largest country in Western Europe. Due to its overseas departments and territories scattered worldwide, France possesses one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in the world, covering over 11,035,000 km2.

General Education

Since World War II, the education system has been dramatically overhauled. This was designed to accommodate the increasing numbers of children who carry on developing themselves through study beyond primary school. Consequently, collèges, and higher education institutions have expanded their offerings to accommodate the demand for the development of a highly skilled workforce.

School education is compulsory in France from 6 to 16 years of age, with the adult literacy rate currently standing at 99%. The French education system is centralized and managed through a number of hierarchies, which are divided into the following stages:

• primary education (enseignement primaire);

• secondary education (enseignement secondaire);

• tertiary or college education (enseignement supérieur)

Although private schools are available, primary and secondary education are dominated by public offerings. France is approximately in the middle of international tables, in respect of the proportion of students going to university.

Cultural Issues

The French are very proud of their independence and culture. For successful business liaisons, it is important to be aware of their cultural distinctions.

The French flag has three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red. This became the flag during the French Revolution and was made popular by Marquis de Lafayette. Marianne is a symbol of the French Republic. She is an allegorical figure of liberty and the Republic and first appeared at the time of the French Revolution. Famous French actors, including Brigitte Bardot and Catherine Deneuve, have been given the title of Marianne.

Gender does not play a major role in French organizations and business women including foreign women in business in France are as well respected as their male counterparts.

Transportation

There are significant differences in lifestyles with respect to transportation, between urbanized regions such as Paris, and smaller towns and rural areas. In Paris, and to a lesser extent in other major cities, many households do not own a car and simply use the efficient public transport.

Paris has an excellent system of roads, although driving there is not for the faint-hearted. It is better not to drive anyway, since the public transport is excellent. Municipal buses in Paris are user-friendly. Paris’s subway system is called the Metro and is clean, efficient, and reliable. Metros run from 5:30am until 00:30 am (after midnight). The train service in France is efficient and comfortable and is one of the most popular ways to get around.

If you are coming from the United Kingdom, you can use the Euro-tunnel to get to France. Euro tunnel’s car carrying service runs via the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone to Calais/Coquelles. Taking as little as 35 minutes platform to platform, it is a fast and exciting way to reach France and beyond. The service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with up to 4 departures an hour at peak periods.

France’s airport network includes 27 airports and serves 130 countries. Its international airports are based in Paris, (Roissy-Charles De Gaulle and Orly).France handles 6,200 flights every week. The two Paris airports handle 20% of the total airfreight in the European Union.There are many connections to France by sea. Routes operate from ports in Le Havre, Cherbourg, Calais, Boulogne and Dunkerque.

Cultural taboos

In France there are a number of issues that are considered inappropriate and that you should be aware of in order to avoid insulting your French counterparts and showing disrespect for their views and values:

• Don’t start a conversation in English, try to speak French even if your language knowledge is limited, you will increase your chances of a positive business meeting.

• Don’t ask “how much is your salary?”

• Do not shake hands if you are exchanging ‘la bise’ – the kiss on the cheek, which is done at least twice.

• Do not address anyone with “tu” – which is the informal term for ‘you’ use “vous” instead.

• Try not to call or meet anyone during their lunch break 12 till 2pm – unless you have been invited for a lunch meeting.

• Typical discussion topics do not include your wealth – showing off your wealth is considered bad taste.

• French organizations are very hierarchical and communications across these lines can be a time consuming process, if you want to speak to the manager, speak to them directly.

• Chewing gum in public is considered vulgar.

• Keep your hands out of your pockets when in public.

• Slapping an open palm over a closed fist is offensive to the French.

• Snapping fingers is also considered offensive.

• It is extremely bad manners to ask a French individual about his political leanings or how he voted. You can inquire however about the political system or public opinion about political leaders.

• Do not criticize Napoleon, since he represents a part of the French spirit.

• Refrain from using any standard conversation openers such as, ‘What do you do?’

• Politeness is of the utmost importance to the French. Any rudeness will not be easily forgotten or forgiven.

Understanding and respecting these issues will make a significant contribution towards understanding French culture and building and maintaining strong and solid business relationships.

Importance of business meetings

As with any other international business behavior, respect for the national business culture will improve your chances of achieving your business objectives in France. Once you arrive in your French counterpart’s office it is good practice to give your business card to their secretary so that they can log your arrival. Your business cards should ideally be printed in both English and French. During your first business meeting, try to remain respectful and welcoming, bearing in mind that your French counterparts need time to build trust in you and your organization. It is strongly recommended that you learn basic French phrases and use them whenever possible in your meetings. Many French employees take several weeks off in the summer. Some companies even close operations for the entire month of August. It is important to note that in France, meetings are held to discuss issues, not to make decisions. When conducting business negotiations with your French counterparts you need to be aware that you are very likely to come across bureaucratic and centralized decision-making. During business negotiations, be prepared to answer direct and detailed questions. Because of the hierarchical structure of organizations in France, once a decision has been reached between those in the negotiation process, there is a high likelihood that your partners will have to go through a similar internal process and therefore even if you have signed a contract, there is a chance that they will come back to renegotiate it as a result of internal negotiations.

The shaking of hands when greeting and departing is a French custom in business etiquette. La bise (or the kiss), is a common greeting once there is an established business relationship between women and men.

One of the most important factors is careful planning and preparation, ensuring that all objectives and strategies have been set out and an agenda has been confirmed. As meetings will generally be conducted in French, interpreters are an important element where there are language barriers, and should be organized a number of weeks in advance prior to the meeting.

Business meals are common practice and usually conducted in restaurants rather than cafes since the latter tend to be too noisy. Because of their love of food, French business people do like to concentrate on a discussion of the dishes during your meal. Generally, lunchtime is from 12:30 or 13:00 and can last until 15:00. Dinners are usually from 20:30 to 23:00.

It will be continued

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