Doing business with people from another country requires some finesse whether you are visiting their country or they are visiting yours. The French place a great deal of value upon courtesy, appearance and titles or class. If your goal is to successfully communicate, negotiate and build a professional relationship with your French counterpart, follow these helpful tips for understanding the corporate culture in France.

1
Schedule meetings and appointments at least two weeks in advance. Many meetings take place over a meal, and lunch is a good time of day to schedule an appointment. Your first point of contact will most often be the secretary.

2
Be punctual. The French have a more formal society based on class and title. If you are going to be late for an appointment or meeting, a phone call is required to inform as to the reason for your delay.

3
Apologize if you do not speak French. Most business people do speak English, but it is always a good idea to learn some of the key phrases in the native tongue.

4
Shake hands when greeting and leaving. The French handshake is less firm than an American handshake. A light grip followed by a brief shake and eye contact is customary.

5
Dress appropriately. The French take pride in their appearance and typically dress conservatively but in well-tailored clothing. Avoid bright colors or flashy jewelry.

6
Be prepared for lengthy meetings. The French consider this a time for debate, straight-forward questions and answers, and they frown upon high-pressured tactics or exaggerations. Meetings are the time for issues to be discussed, not decisions to be made.

7
Maintain eye contact throughout a meeting. Exhibiting patience for protocol and hierarchy will be noticed and will surely progress the relationship by establishing trust and respect.

8
Be aware of the volume of your voice. Becoming too loud can be offensive to the French. Many discussions can become intense, but the French enjoy the art of