Common Business Scenarios

Client Entertainment

Business Lunches: - Still important for relationships - 1.5-2 hours typical - Business after entrée - Wine increasingly optional - Host orders wine - Quality over quantity

Evening Events: - More formal than lunch - Spouses sometimes included - Cultural events popular - Maintain professional boundaries - Follow French social etiquette

Conferences and Trade Shows

French Conference Culture: - Networking breaks important - Intellectual content expected - Panel debates common - Dress professionally - Exchange cards selectively - Follow up promptly

International Collaboration

Working with French Colleagues: - Expect initial reserve - Build credibility slowly - Appreciate their expertise - Allow for cultural differences - Find common ground - Invest in relationships

Inclusive Tip: International Team Management

Managing multicultural teams in France requires balancing French norms with international diversity. Acknowledge different communication styles, create spaces for various approaches, and explicitly discuss team norms. French team members often adapt well once expectations are clear.