How to Act in a Business Meeting in France
Traveling overseas to France can be an exhausting experience especially if you are worried about making a faux pas in an important business meeting. Before your meeting, learn some common French phrases like "bonjour" for hello, "au revoir" for goodbye, "s'il vous plait" for please and "merci" for thank-you. Arrive the day before your meeting to unwind from the long, transatlantic flight. Minimize jet-lag by getting a good night's sleep. Prepare for your meeting by researching some of the cultural differences between the United States and France. You may find that the cultural divide is not as large as you may have thought, allowing you to relax and focus on the business at hand.
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Instructions
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Be on time. Punctuality is prized in France. When arriving, give a business card to the receptionist and to each person that you meet regardless of position. Business cards are exchanged more frequently than in the United States. You may wish to have a card printed in French if you are doing a great deal of business in France.
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Shake hands quickly with everyone present at the start of the meeting. You may notice that some French business people may lightly kiss each other on both cheeks. This type of greeting in common among people very familiar with each other. Avoid cheek-kissing until you have developed a friendly relationship with your co-workers.
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Address people in a formal manner using their last name proceeded by Monsieur, Madame or Mademoiselle. France is a conservative and formal country. First names are only used by family and friends, and not commonly used in a business setting. For women, err on the side of caution, and wait to see if the woman is addressed as a Madame or a Mademoiselle.
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Speak softly and in a formal manner. The French tend to stick to business in meetings and do not tell jokes or exchange many personal pleasantries, such as asking about children, spouse or sports teams.
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Get down to business. By law, the French can only work a maximum of 35 hours per week. Meetings are organized around an agenda and stick to the planned topics. The French do not waste time by getting sidetracked from the main issues as is common in the United States. Speak in details and specifics about what you would like to accomplish in the meeting. Make sure that you are well prepared.
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Be patient. Although the French stick to business and avoid the personal chit-chat common in the United States workplace, detailed discussions typically occur before a decision is made. Debating the issues from all angles is a cornerstone of French business. Be prepared to wait until an issue is thoroughly examined by all team members before a final decision is made. A logical argument on your part will be better received than an emotional plea or a hard-sale approach.
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Dress conservatively and professionally in neutral colors. Men should wear a jacket and leave it on in the meeting. Women should avoid wearing bright colors and err on the side of caution when choosing an outfit.
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- Photo Credit Tour Eiffel Paris. Eiffel Tower, Trocadero. image by Blue Moon from Fotolia.com
