French culture,customs, and etiquette

Minority languages What other languages are spoken in France?

- German Italian Breton Occitan Arabic

Population What is the approximate population of France (2014 or later)?

-66 259 012

Business Meetings Etiquette Do businesses work off of walk-in or appointments? What months are commonly vacation periods and business plans should be avoided? Can you arrive late to business meetings?

-Appointments 2 weeks in advance -July or August -Yes if you explain in advance why your be late

Dining Etiquette When invited to a French house for dinner what considerations should you make? Ex: what time should you arrive what should you give as a gift and how should you dress?

-Arrive on time be no later than 10 mins if you must, send flowers, you should dress well

Religions What religions are practiced in French? By percentage?

-Catholic Protestants Jew Orthodox Islam Christianity Buddhism

Ethnic Make-up What ethnicities are represented in France?

-Celtic and latin with Teutonic slavic North African indochinese basque minorities

Table manners How do the French eat what style? When do you know when to start eating at a dinner party? What signals that its time to start eating? How do you signal that you have not finished eating yet? Is it culturally acceptable to leave food on your plate? How do you signal that you do not want a refill of your drink?

-Continental -When the hostess says "bon appetit" -Cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife -No -Leave the wine glass nearly full if you do not want more

Business Etiquette & Protocol in France Relationships & Communication What two behavior factors are emphasized in French business culture? In order to get things done what two factors must be built and how are they earned? If you do not speak French what action is helpful to develop a relationship? What determines how a French person communicates?

-Courtesy and Formality -Mutual Trust and Respect -An apology for not knowing the language -their Social status, education level, and which part of the country they were raised

Location/ Geography France is in what continent? What countries neighbor(are next to share a border with) France? What bodies of water are near France? What is the area of France in square miles or kilometers? What shape is France? France has four overseas departments (DOMs) what are they? What are the four main rivers? What US state or states about the size of France?

-Europe -Andorra,Belgium,Germany,Italy,Luxembourg,Monaco,Spain,Switzerland English Channel, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea -518,000 sq km -Hexagon -French Guiana,Guadeloupe,Martinique, Reunion -seine,loire,rhône,and garonne - Texas

Language Official Language What is the official language in France? What percentage of the population speak French as their first language? What is the Académie Française?

-French -88% -The french academy its a council that handling everything related to the french language

French Society & Culture Cuisine What is the importance of food in the French culture? What type of ingredients are important? Do you think that the French traditionally enjoy fast food type cuisine? At what meal of the day do French people traditionally eat their largest meal?

-It's one of the french greatest passion -fresh ingredients -no -Dinner urban lunch rural

Capital What is the capital of France?

-Paris

Relationships - Public vs. Private Are the French a private or public people? With which people are the French relaxed in their interactions with people? How frequently is contact expected in friendships between French people? What is the average age of marriage for men? For women?

-Private -close friends and family -frequently or daily - men 29 and women 27

Government What type of government does France have? How long have they had that type of government? How long is the president elected for and are they voted for or appointed?

-Republic 224 years - They are voted and serve for 5 years a term for at 1 or 2 terms

Symbols What is the tricoleur? What do each of the three colors represent? What is La Marseillaise and when was it first written and sung? What is Marianne a symbol of?

-They represent the turn of the twentieth red represents the republic, white the monarchy, and blue the Charlemagne -The national anthem and was first written in 1792 and sung in July 30 1792 -The republic as a motherland and the rallying cry and stands for "liberty,equality,fraternity

Dress Etiquette How should men and women dress for business meetings?

-Women business suits or elegant dresses in soft colors Men should have a dark colored suit

Family Values Is the family unit important to the French? What is the French attitude towards marriage? Approximately how many children do the French have per family? What differences do you notice between the composition of French families and your own?

-Yeah -They have a practical approach to marriage - A few -They are a lot more family oriented and traditional than my family

Climate What is the climate like in France in the summer? In the winter?

-cool winters and mild summers

Business Negotiation When speaking to a French person what level of eye contact is appreciated? What speed is French business conducted at? What is appreciated and what is not appreciated in French business negotiations?

-direct eye contact -slowly -be good at debating and never attempt to be over friendly

Etiquette & Customs in France Meeting Etiquette What types of greetings are commonly used between acquaintances (people who do not know each other well) What types of greetings are used between people who know each other better? Do French people commonly use first names when speaking to each other? When entering a shop what types of phrases are commonly used to greet the shopkeeper? When in public spaces how do the French act as far as eye contact and how loudly do they speak?

-handshake -kissing each other lightly on the cheek -Only for family and close friends -bonjour bonsoir followed by Monsieur & Madame - no eye contact and keeping a low voice

Gift Giving Etiquette When giving flowers what notes are there to keep in mind especially with older people regarding number or type of flower? What type of gift is always appreciated and should be of the highest quality you can afford? When given a gift do French people open it right away or later?

-there should be an old number of flowers and if a funeral bring white lilies or Chrysanthemums no red carnations, white flowers at weddings -Wine -Right away