Business Etiquette & Culture in France

TJC Global understands that being fluent in a language also means being fluent in the subtleties and intricacies of the culture and business etiquette associated with it. To ensure that no embarrassing misunderstandings occur in a professional context, all our translators and interpreters are experts in the business culture and etiquette associated with the languages they work with. Read on to find out our top tips for doing business in France. 

If you require translation or interpreting assistance of any kind in France or anywhere else, please use the FREE QUOTE SYSTEM on the right-hand side of the page or contact us.

About France

With population of around 1.8 million, Paris is the capital city of France. The city is famous for its rich musical history, with musical prodigies including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Gustav Mahler and Arnold Schoenberg having worked there.

The city remains a centre for culture, and is home to world-class theatre, opera, classical music and fine arts, and performances are regular. The city is also famous for holding grand nineteenth century style balls in its many beautiful palaces – over 200 take place annually.

Paris boasts a rich architectural landscape with styles ranging from classicist buildings to modern architecture. The influence of Art Nouveau can also be seen in Paris. 

The city is also home to a number of prestigious museums and art galleries. These range from Imperial Treasury, which houses the imperial jewels of Habsburg dynasty, to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, which displays the works of old masters.

Paris is become known as the City of Dreams because of its connection to the first psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud, who lived there for most of his life. The city’s influence upon Freud’s work has been noted.

Useful French Phrases

If you do not speak French, it is polite to apologise for this, but also to try to learn a few key phrases in advance of your trip. Some useful business terms which may come up in business correspondence, or in the course of a meeting, are as follows:

• Corporate name = Nom de société
• The articles of association = L'acte d'association
• The articles of partnership = Le contrat d'association
• The by-laws = Les règlements intérieurs
• Subsidiary = Filiale
• Branch = Division
•  Limited liability company = Société à responsabilité limitée (SARL)
• Open end investment company = Société d'investissement à capital variable (SICAV)
• Close end investment company = Société d'investissement à capital fixe (SICAF)
• Manager, managing director, assistant manager, personnel manager, sales manager: Cadre, directeur, sous-directeur, directeur du personnel, directeur des ventes.
• Finance department,  legal department,  accounting department: Département financier, département juridique, département comptable

French Business Etiquette

When meeting someone, the handshake is a generally acknowledged from of greeting, as well as kissing the person lightly on both cheeks. First names are used for family and close friends, so wait until you are invited before addressing a new acquaintance by their first name. Madame is a basic term of courtesy for women, and monsieur formen.

If giving a gift, be careful when selection - flowers such as lilies and chrysanthemums are now used because of their connotations to funerals, and when choosing wine, make sure you find a good quality bottle. When dining, do not arrive late, and obey the continental table manners of holding the fork and knife in left and right hands respectively. It is polite not to start eating before the hostess has said 'bon appetit'.

• Working Hours
  Appointments for business meetings are essential, and should be made well in advance. Working hours are generally between 8.30 or 9 and 6 and 7, with two hours or more for lunch break. French workers have five weeks holiday in a year, and at least 3 are taken during the month of August, which should be avoided for business purposes as the whole country tends to come to a standstill.
   
• Business Dress
  Dress conservatively - men in dark suits, women in elegantly cut suits or a smart, formal dress. Make sure that you maintain eye-contact as this builds respect and trust between parties.
   
• During the Meeting
  Business etiquette requires formality and courtesy. If you do not speak the language, it is polite to apologise for this, and to try to learn a few key phrases. It is wise not to appear overly friendly, as the French tend to separate the work from the social aspects of their life, and trust is gained through appropriate, direct and formal behaviour. Business tends to be hierarchical, and skills in debating and keen-minded analysis will be respected, with any mutual decisions or finalised documents being produced in a formal layout.

Locations we cover in France