The former great love of my life, a French woman, just asked me to help her find books/videos/that specifically deal with Franco-US comunications dos and don'ts for a course she may teach. I figured you folks would be a dandy source of info beyond the gaggle of Goodle hits I might find. Well? Alors?
M'aidez!

If she is teaching business relations I'd say Speak English is the most important thing she can teach her students.

U.S. Americans will not deal with French Canadians unless the French Canadian speaks English to them. U.S. salespeople will not speak French when trying to sell to French Canadians though. The French person has to make the effort to understand. Some French buyers find it insulting because they think "he wants to sell to me. Why doesn't he make at least an effort to communicate in my language."

Our company has a booming brokerage business because of this. Some buyers do not know a word of English so we are needed to be the French arm of many businesses. I LOVE being bilingual. The opposite is not true though. The French Canadian companies that want to sell to the U.S. or rest of Canada learn to speak English. It is a bit of an odd situation.

Again, business relations

...arrive on time for an appointment. Five to ten minutes early is better - gives receptionist time to announce you. Late is NEVER acceptable.

...Time is not told on a 24 hour clock but a 12 hour p.m. and a.m. schedule...never say, "I will be there at 15:00" but rather say "I will be there at 3:00" (arrive at 2:50 )

…Lunch is at noon. Dinner is anytime around 6:00 or 7:00 (18:00 ou 19:00)

...have a printed business card. A business card printed on your computer, with those little marks where you had to tear it off a sheet, looks unprofessional.

...do not kiss a business acquaintance on the cheeks. Shake hands. Your handshake should be firm but not overly so; this is not a strongman contest. It should not last more than the time it takes to say “un pamplemousse, deux pamplemousses.”

Would someone still in the business world address the Casual Friday ... if they still have it?

That might be unusual to a European business person.

Later ooops! Should have read more carefully. Grovel grovel

Thanks, belM, but she will be teaching US of Americans who wish to do business in France. Since we US types are famous for cultural insensitivity, I'd say she's got her work cut out for her!

Dear Geoff: I searched Internet for books on French business etiquette, and was surprised how few there were. One rather expensive set of videos looked interesting though, possibly practical for someone teaching a class.

Ooops, sorry Geoff, my misunderstanding. For etiquette vis-à-vis France, I'd have to say I am complety ignorant since their customs are significantly different than the French Canadians'.

Geoff, this is one of a pretty good series of books on business etiquette:

http://www.worldtradepress.com/catalog/pport/ppfrance.html

Thanks AnnaS. I will probably be "doing business" in France later this year or early next, and I think I may just acquire this little book to help to grease the wheels of commerce!

French woman, just asked me to help her
I find it rather interesting that a person native to France asks a foreigner about fitting behavior in her own country. But it is by no means surprising, since in your own country you unconsciously adapt to prevailing rules, and in France this is especially so in my experience. They can tell straight away that there is a blundering American - but to say what he should do differently is another matter. In fact I suspect they prefer that he is easily recognised as such. And knowledge of English has increased tremendously in France over the past 30 years or so.

I remember reading in a German novel a long time ago that the hero knew the person across the room was an American, because he had his hands in his pockets. Europeans in their compulsory military training are punished for this and never forget it.

I find it rather interesting that a person native to France asks a foreigner about fitting behavior in her own
country. But it is by no means surprising, since in your own country you unconsciously adapt to prevailing
rules, and in France this is especially so in my experience.

Interesting points! Of course, she does know her own country's rules of etiquette and decorum, but she is seeking printed material and/or videos that she can use to reinforce her own knowledge. In other words, a textbook for the class.

BTW, AS, many thanks for the reference! It looks good. And Dr, Bill, where did you find the videos you mentioned? Do you have the URL?

Thanks, y'all!