French Business Etiquette: Meetings and Socializing

Meeting Preparation

French business meetings combine formality with relationship building.

Before the Meeting

1. "Préparer l'ordre du jour" (Prepare the agenda)

   • Send detailed agenda in advance

2. "Confirmer le rendez-vous" (Confirm the appointment)

   • Written confirmation is expected

Dress Code

1. "Une tenue professionnelle" (Professional attire)

   • Conservative, high-quality clothing is standard

2. "Pas de tenue décontractée" (No casual wear)

   • Even on casual days, maintain professional appearance

Social Aspects

Business Meals

1. "Le déjeuner d'affaires" (Business lunch)

   • Important for relationship building

2. "On ne parle pas affaires tout de suite" (Don't discuss business immediately)

   • Wait for host to initiate business discussion

Greetings

1. "La bise" (Cheek kisses)

   • Usually not appropriate in business settings

2. "Une poignée de main ferme" (A firm handshake)

   • Standard business greeting

Professional Boundaries

Office Behavior

1. "Garder sa vie privée" (Keep private life private)

   • Limited personal discussion at work

2. "Respecter la hiérarchie" (Respect hierarchy)

   • Clear chain of command is important

Gift Giving

1. "Un petit cadeau professionnel" (A small professional gift)

   • Appropriate for special occasions

2. "Éviter les cadeaux personnels" (Avoid personal gifts)

   • Keep gifts business-appropriate

Cultural Understanding

• Decisions often made at top levels
• Group consensus valued
• Direct disagreement often avoided
• Quality of work life important

Building professional relationships in French business takes time and requires attention to social nuances.