French Business Etiquette

The stereotype of the rude Frenchman is only one side of a larger cultural misunderstanding. To the French, the rude American is a known stereotype. Understanding the cultural clash is important to successfully navigate French business etiquette. 

French business etiquette has its own graces. While things may start with a customary aloofness, once the French establish a rapport they are warm and friendly. 

French Values: From Revolution to Public Parks

From 1789 to 1799, the French Revolution tore down the reigning monarchy, aristocracy, and institutions in the name of democracy and social justice. Rather than leveling the cultural and economic boons of the aristocrats, privilege was democratized and culturally distributed—from education to museum visits. The ethics of socialized democracy are widespread throughout the country. 

The French take pride in their landscape, history, and civic beautification. The luxuries once hoarded by the aristocrats became public. They value their leisure time and spaces. Littering and vandalism are not commonplace. Most people are well-informed about culture and politics. 

Personal Time is Personal

Culturally, the French work to live, not live to work. Whether it is a small shop, big chain, businessperson, or Versailles itself, they expect business hours to be business hours. Gates and shops will close punctually. The French value personal time. 

Work-life balance is a matter of social justice in France. The government will fine businesses for having their personnel answer email or phone calls after hours. Working late is not looked upon favorably.

Service, Not Servants

Everyone is important in France. In a restaurant, shop, market, or boutique actively greeting the keeper and staff is expected. Simply say, “Bonjour, Madame” for women and “Bonjour, Monsieur” when addressing men. 

Do not touch food items unless in a supermarket. Wait for help. Indicate your needs by pointing politely. 

Always say thank you in French, or, “Merci” (pronounced mare-see). 

Closed Hours

Note that in addition to posted hours, many businesses close from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. 

Many businesses also close on Sunday. This is especially true outside of places like Paris, Lyon, or other major destinations. In some places in rural France, the train service will not run on the weekend. 

Avoid business during July and August if possible. Holiday means a number of people are away and much business is stopped. 

Public holidays also shut down commercial activity. 

Avoid Being too American

The French are often put-off and can seem rude in response to grating behavior, preferring not to deal with it. This can explain French aloofness. Showing respect for French culture will relax this tension. 

Here are some tips for blending in French culture.

Dress Well—Everywhere

The French are well presented, well groomed, and conscientious about their appearance. Sweatshirts and tennis shoes are bound to make you look like a tourist, which the French consider a nuisance. Avoid sweatpants, athletic gear, sloppy dressing, or being too casual. 

Culture, culture, culture. Not for Tourists.

The French consider public space a privilege and honor. Part of the distaste for tourists is that France is a serious tourist destination, but it is also their home. The French lifestyle overlaps tourist migratory patterns. Children’s birthday parties happen at Rodin’s backyard museum. Leisure time is spent in public parks, having discussions and picnics. Coarse, loud, or indelicate behavior in public is considered an affront. Only, you may not realize you are breaking the public aesthetic.

Use Inside Voices

The French speak more softly than Americans. In fact, the loudness of American talk is not only considered rude, but cartoonish. Ending sentences like questions (when they aren’t), speaking brashly, and not minding shared social space are considered distasteful. 

Take Your Time

Do not wave down, yell at, or rush staff or other people. The French are not tip-based and culturally enjoy leisurely meals and coffee breaks. They are being polite by giving you time. You are being impolite rushing them. In keeping, schedule plenty of time for meals. 

One exception is that you will have to ask for your bill. For a waiter to leave a bill on a table is akin to asking you to leave—which they will not do. Allowing people to linger with a single espresso or a full meal is considerate. 

Send Thank You Cards, Snail Mail

Send thank you cards to hosts and hostesses the day following any event in someone’s home. Notes should be handwritten.

Fruit baskets or flowers are also appreciated. Avoid Chrysanthemums as they are funerary. If sending flowers, always send odd number bouquets, but avoid bunches of 7 or 13. 

French Business Etiquette: Social Graces and Greetings

The lines between business and personal relationships are less formal in France. When meeting, men greet each other with a handshake. However, air kisses are common greetings. Let your French counterpart lead.

Always say hello to everyone when greeting. It may take a while, but it is rude not to greet the whole party.

Maintaining eye contact during conversation is considered friendly. 

Guidelines for French Business Meetings

• Schedule meetings at least two weeks in advance, confirming the day before.
• Be on time. 
• Be well dressed.
• Greet and say goodbye to everyone.
• Introduce yourself with your first and last name.
• Uses formal addresses with surnames until invited to use first names.
• Be prepared to start and end meetings with small talk.
• Never rush negotiations or meetings.
• Expect business conversation, but not decisions. 
• Prepare for polite, direct answers. (Also, do not be surprised by interruptions.) 

What are bises? Are there really business kisses?

Light kisses on the cheek, called bises, are a common greeting in France. These are more often a light touching of cheeks accompanied by air kisses. 

Depending on the region, there are two or four kisses alternating cheeks. (Follow the French lead.) Greetings are determined by gender and familiarity:

• Women greet women with bises most commonly.
• Men greet men with a firm handshake. 
• Women greet men with a handshake upon first meeting. Traditionally, the woman offers her hand first. After some familiarity, bises take the place of a handshake. 

Personal Space

As you may guess from the air kisses, people are more comfortable with closeness in France. After some familiarity, the French touch to show friendliness. The normal conversational distance is just inside arm’s length. 

Be on Time for Business—Even in Case of Strike

While people take their time for meals and leisure, it is important to be on time for business meetings. That can be challenging if there are transportation strikes, which are not uncommon. Plan on staying in a walkable distance to your meetings.

French Business Attire

French business attire is formal and as close to couture as you can afford. Even lower level employees dress up for work. Being well-groomed and meticulous will gain you respect—and show that you respect the time and company afforded you. The way you dress is a show of social status, which will contribute to the way you are received. 

For suits and business clothing: 

• Fitted or tailored clothing is preferable, not loose or sloppy.
• Ties should not be loose.
• Shoes should be stylish, quality, and polished. 
• Clothing should be tasteful, not lewd.
• Business suits should be dark in the winter or conservative in color.
• Accessorize, especially with women’s makeup and jewelry. Makeup is standard and expected, but should not be caked on. Skincare is highly valued, so showing good skin is optimal.
• Avoid blue dress shirts. This is a military recruit’s uniform color. 
• Do not remove jackets unless someone else has. 

English in France

The French do not hold English as the world language. Though many speak some English, they are often hesitant to speak it. Some are more inclined to speak Spanish or Italian, which are more similar linguistically to French. 

Learn a few lines of French to help you get around. Major cities will likely have someone nearby who speaks some English. Learning French can be difficult. It is not phonetic; many of the syllables are silent. Try to address them politely in French nevertheless. They will appreciate the effort. 

Here are a few small phrases to help:

• Hello.  – Bonjour
  (bone-zhour or bone-jewr)
• Pardon me, do you speak English? – Pardonnez-moi, parlez-vous anglais?
  (par-doan-eh-moo-ah, par-lay-voo an-glaze) 
• I am sorry. I do not speak French. – Je suis désolé. Je ne parle pas français.
  (Zhe sue-ease deh-sole-ay. Zhe nay par-le pah fran-saiz)
• Thank you. – Merci 
  (Mare-sea)
• Please. – S’il vous plait
  (Sea voo play)
• Goodbye – Au revoir
  (Ah rev-wahr)

When doing business in France, you will benefit from having a translator.  

French Gestures

The French speak with their whole body. Gestures are part of that. They won’t mind if you speak with hand gestures. 

However, avoid smacking a closed fist into an open palm; it is a rude gesture. In fact, sticking a fist up can look similarly offensive. 

If someone puts a finger up to their eye and pulls down a lid, it means they do not believe you. If someone pinches their fingers up and together, it indicates fear or apprehension. 

French Dining Etiquette

The French take dining very seriously. To observe French business etiquette, expect meal invitations, but do not talk business until dessert. It’s a good idea to wait for the French associates to broach the conversation. 

Meals are leisurely. The French work hard for allotted hours but enjoy leisurely lunches. Scheduled lunches start between 12:30 and 1:00 pm and usually run until 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Plan accordingly. 

Dinners are later throughout Europe than they are in the states. In France, expect dinners to start between 8:30 pm and 11 pm and run long.

Wait to be directed to your seat. When there are more than four people, the most senior will frequently take the head of the table. 

Keep Your Hands in Sight

It is impolite to have your hands out of view at a table. Make sure that your hands or elbows are on the table, in view of company. 

Bread Service

Bread baskets are different in France. They are not meant to be gorged upon prior to the meal. Instead, save bread to eat with your meal. Do so by tearing small pieces off. Do not tear it off with your teeth. 

Bread plates are not often used. Put bread on the table next to your plate. (Also, hold the butter unless provided.) 

Eat Continental Style, Not Passing the Fork

The French eat with traditional continental manners. They do not pass the fork back and forth left to right. Remember that crossing your utensils signals a break from eating. Lying them the same direction (up and away) diagonally on the plate signals being done. 

How to eat in the continental dining style: 

• Place the napkin on your lap upon sitting.
• If you rise from the table, put your napkin on the chair.
• Keep your fork in your left hand with the tines downward.
• Use the right hand to hold the knife. 
• If you put down your utensils, put both down. Cross the fork and knife in the center of the plate. The tines should point down. 

• At the end of a meal, the napkin is put on the table to the left of your setting.
• To show you are finished eating, put the fork and knife on the plate, pointing up and away from you in the same direction. 

Salad is for After the Main Course

Salads are served alongside or after the meal to be eaten as a palate cleanser. After salad will frequently come the dessert or cheese plate.

Finish Your Food

Food is art in France. It is a matter of cultural pride. 

Servings are not meant to be overwhelming (though they are rich). Order what you can comfortably eat. Plates will be designed for the course. So, it is I unlikely that an appetizer and main will be too much. As a result, leaving food on your plate is considered an affront to the chef. It suggests that something was wrong with the meal. Similarly, asking for a to-go box is rude. It shows disrespect for the freshness of a meal. 

Wine Etiquette

The only acceptable beverages with food are water and wine. No soda. No coffee. No tea. They will serve it to you, but it will seem uncouth.

Wine is served with most meals. However, if invited to someone’s home opt to bring a lovely box of gourmet chocolates or macarons. It may seem counterintuitive, but do not bring wine when invited for a meal. The host may take it as a suggestion that you do not trust their wine knowledge. Additionally, they will likely have chosen wine to compliment the meal. You may, as an exception, bring high-quality imported spirit or liqueur. 

Another rule of thumb is to allow the host to pour the wine. They will monitor the level of wine for the tone.

Bringing Flowers to Dinner

If you would like to bring the host flowers, it is polite to send them ahead of arriving to dinner. This way the host has time to arrange the flowers and present them. Like thank-you flowers, you should avoid chrysanthemums, even numbers, and bunches of 7 or 13.