France: universal culture and human rights

1
France universal culture and human rights
A Hexagonal territory

• Population 60 M.
• 22 regions
• One language, regional identities
• One of the founding fathers of European Union
• Republic freedom, equality, fraternity

2
Specific elements of French culture

• Importance of French language and French
  culture, francophony
• Art of conversation, oratory skills style
  prevails over content
• Reserved attitude at first, then frankly
  cordial
• Independent spirit, multilateral policy
  
• French way of life good food, wine, company
  
• Land of asylum and human rights
  
• Equal opportunities free education for all
  
• Desire to integrate refuse communalism

3
A country of paradoxes
4
Elements of technical and professional culture

• Centralised society importance of the
  hierarchy
• Demanding people (the French Revolution,
  frequent strikes)
• Importance of social legislation
• People often find ways around finicky
  regulations
• Language level neither slang nor overly
  familiar

5
Business culture

• Elitist Higher Education system prestigious
  grandes écoles alongside universities
  for all
• Importance of university degrees
• Recruitment procedures, formal layout for
  letters , hand-written cover letter,
  graphology taken into account
• Avoid questions regarding money, salary
• Tedious administrative procedures

6
Sense of time

• Flexible punctuality 15 minutes leeway
• Meetings if the discussion is not finished,
  do not interrupt it
• A business lunch can last 2 to 2.30 hours for
  convivialitys sake
• Deadlines always met but often at the very
  last minute

7
Manners

• Importance of social gestures shaking hands
  and kissing are usual amongst friends and
  colleagues
• Saying  Tu  not for superiors or new
  acquaintances, though usual amongst peers
  and members of the same corporation
• Private invitations do not refuse and bring
  a gift

8
Appearance and clothes

• Dress in good taste do not be a hostage to
  fashion
• For a first contact
• a man should wear a suit and a tie, or at least
  a jacket be clean-shaven and neat
• a woman should wear a skirt or trousers
  neither too short, nor too tight, be modest
  
• no jeans

9
Administrative procedures

• Placement contract
• Insurance and civil liability
• Health and medical coverage
• Possible university enrolment ( for university
  restaurant, library, sports facilities and
  reduced fees for leisure activities)