Professional Documents
Culture Documents
MEMO
TO:
Lori
Mayes,
Director
of
Campus
Life
FROM:
Sara
West,
Public
Relations
Department
DATE:
September
15,
2015
SUBJECT:
Business
Etiquette
Tips
for
Upcoming
Trip
In
regards
to
your
upcoming
business
trip
to
Dax,
France
(October
10-18,
2015),
I
have
done
some
research
about
the
French
culture
and
economy,
as
well
as
outlined
some
key
business
etiquette
practices
that
will
help
you
communicate
more
smoothly.
French
culture
France
is
the
largest
country
in
Western
Europe
and
has
one
of
the
highest
European
populations
(over
65
million
people).
The
French
people
take
great
pride
in
their
independence,
uniqueness,
passion
for
being
cosmopolitan,
and
rich
culture.
French
people
do
not
tolerate
rudeness
or
pushy
foreigners
very
well,
so
remain
composed
and
practice
self-control
when
interacting.
Women
in
business
In
France,
women
are
more
openly
accepted
in
management
positions
in
suburban
areas
rather
than
rural
areas.
Since
Dax
is
a
small
rural
town
in
southern
France,
you
have
the
challenge
of
starting
in
a
position
of
weakness.
Because
of
this,
you
must
articulate
your
point
politely,
yet
firmly,
to
earn
the
respect
of
the
CEO.
However,
communication
is
based
on
social
status
and
education
level,
so
you
should
gain
some
reverence
when
you
introduce
yourself
as
the
Director
of
JCCA
Pleasantville.
Business
etiquette
You
will
be
greeted
with
a
la
bise
(kiss
on
the
cheeks),
which
begins
with
one
kiss
on
the
left
cheek
and
moves
to
one
kiss
on
the
right
cheek.
This
greeting
makes
a
handshake
unnecessary.
Regardless
of
how
weak
or
slow
your
French
is,
always
start
the
conversation
in
French,
until
instructed
to
move
to
English.
The
French
business
model
is
very
hierarchical,
so
address
the
CEO
at
all
times
when
talking,
and
make
direct
eye
contact
both
when
speaking
and
when
being
spoken
to.
Analytical
arguing
is
encouraged,
as
long
as
you
remain
respectful
and
calm.
Above
all,
keep
personal
details
separate
from
professional
talk;
this
is
inappropriate
and
offensive
in
the
French
workplace.
I
have
several
pages
of
notes
if
you
would
like
any
further
information.
Please
contact
me
with
any
further
questions
or
concerns.
Thank
you.