WORKING IN FRANCE - CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette: France - page 207

Formality will be your key. Always use the vous form
among business acquaintances and never use i rst names,
even with your own secretaries, unless the French person
suggests it. If you are unsure whether a woman is married
or not, use Madame rather than Mademoiselle , as the latter
also implies a spinster (an undesirable state among the
family-oriented French). Use those job titles, too.
Avoid any but the most polite and patient approach to
fellow workers, and be sure your business letters follow the
formal French code.
That handshaking exercise we described in 'The Circular
Handshake' on page 64 symbolises both the importance and
the formality of relations in a French ofi ce. It gives a degree of
equality among the French, but not a great degree. Everybody
does it, because some gesture of equality is important. But
they aren't committing much.
Though a Frenchman considers his five weeks' paid
vacation sacrosanct, he will rarely take a day off without
pay. He will stick to his desk, his job and his position. So
should you. As a representative of the home ofi ce, you will
be treated with a certain esteem. You will be expected to
respond accordingly.
Take each of your relationships at the ofi ce as unique and
delicate and learn to recognise the links of communication
and function so you don't accidentally strain them.
Don't try to impress people with your accomplishments
or abilities. Try to direct attention away from yourself
and towards an understanding of the business problem
at hand, listening to all positions. Remember thesis,
antithesis, synthesis.
Watch for subtle signs of class distinction in your co-
workers. Respect these roles by maintaining yours. Your
i rst goal is to learn to work with these people. Don't let
someone's haughtiness put you off. The French play a class
distinction game with each other all the time. Once people
feel secure in their role with you, they will not feel the need
for posturing. As with the waiter, your job is to help make
them feel comfortable by recognising and appreciating
their real job.