Business Dining
The Power Lunch
Business lunches remain important in French professional culture, though they're shorter than in the past.
Modern Business Lunch: - 1-1.5 hours typical (down from 2-3) - Often three courses still - Wine increasingly optional - Real business after entrée - Relationship building primary goal
Restaurant Selection
Who Chooses: - Inviter selects and pays - Ask dietary restrictions beforehand - Choose established restaurants - Mid-range usually appropriate - Avoid exotic cuisines unless confirmed
Business Dinner Events
More formal than lunch, business dinners demand careful navigation:
Protocol Points: - Arrive precisely on time - Dress more formally than daily office wear - Follow host's lead on wine - Keep phone silent and away - Business talk often minimal - Focus on relationship building