French Business

URAP Etiquette
POWERPOINT
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia

Group Business Communication - Friday

 TABLE 1. Business schedule

OF 2. Dress code
CONTENTS 3. Business gift giving in France

4. Attitude towards time

 Group members
Members
1. Nguyễn Khoa Hoan – 1717710084

2. Nguyễn Khánh Huyền

3. Lê Thị Hồng Nhung

4. Nguyễn Ngọc Bích

5. Lê Thanh Tùng
01.
Business schedule
 Business schedule
5

2. General working hours 4. “Right to

disconnect” law

Within
French
business
1. Working week is 3. 8-hour/day 5. Improper periods
Monday to Friday schedule for business
appointment
Branding Slides www.slideforest.com
 6

1. Working week 2. General

(Monday -> Friday) working hours 4. “Right to disconnect”
law

- Working day depends on the

company, its sector, corporate
culture, size and location in France.

- Managerial jobs: more flexible.

5. Improper time
Ask partners the company’s 3. 8-hour/day
for business
schedule appointment
working days in advance.

Branding Slides www.slideforest.com

 7

2. Working hours
- Generally from 8:30 or 9:00
a.m, to 6:30 or 7:00 p.m and
include 1 or 2 hours off for lunch.

4. “Right to disconnect”
Negotiation should take place law
from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m or
from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m

1. Working week 3. 8-hour/day 5. Improper time

schedule for business
Branding Slides appointment www.slideforest.com
 8

4. “Right to disconnect”
law
2. General
working hours
3. 8-hour/day
schedule
1. Working
5. Improper
- Some have implemented an 8-
week
time for hour/day schedule with Friday
business
appointment afternoon off

Avoid scheduling appointments

in Friday afternoon

Branding Slides www.slideforest.com

 4. ”Right to 9

disconnect” law
- Introduced in 2017
- Forbid employees from sending or
replying to emails after certain hours.
-> maintain a work-life balance

For imperative messages,

2. General avoid sending them when
Working hours your partners are off work.

1. Working week 3. 8-hour/day

schedule 5. Improper time
for business
appointment
Branding Slides www.slideforest.com
 2. General 10
working hours 4. “Right to
disconnect” law

1. Working week 3. 8-hour/day 5. Improper periods

schedule
for business
appointment
- July and August: festival season.
- August is “sacred” and the
country comes to a halt because
some companies close.

Avoid appointment in
July and August.
Branding Slides www.slideforest.com
02.
Dress code
Keep it formal
- Virtually all French companies
maintain a formal office
atmosphere.

- For business, women should wear

conservative suits, pantsuits, and
dresses.

- Suit coats stay on in offices and

restaurants.
When in doubt,
opt for formal
- Not sure what to wear? err on the side
of formal instead of casual.

- When invited to dress down: a jacket

and tie. Don’t go cheap, and don’t go
tacky.
Choose tailored
clothing

Having a tailor fits your body

perfectly.
Avoid bright colors
or patterns

There’s nothing wrong with pinstripes,

polka dots and checkered patterns – but
for business, you’ll want to tone them
down
 Don’t overdo it

- In France, you want to show that you

know how to dress well, but without
drawing too much attention to
yourself.

- Flashy jewelry and eccentric hairstyles

aren’t a good idea
Don’t dress in
sensual manner

It’s OK to draw attention to the

features you like about yourself, but
let it happen naturally and elegantly.
03.
Gift giving customs regarding business
 19

1 Timing is important
Avoid giving gift in the first business meeting

French gift-giving protocol is to send New Year's

greetings and occur only in January, not later.

2 French business etiquette

Avoid enclosing your business card in the gift

3 Don’t give gifts featuring a company’s logo

It can be considered in poor taste

Branding Slides www.slideforest.com

 20
4 Don’t send it to their house
Never send a gift for a French colleague to his or her
home unless it is related to a social event.

5 Gift taste
A good gift: avoid offended their intelligence
E.g: a too simple gift may imply you disrespect their
knowledge

French loves artsy items or books

6 Give the right one

Learn the meaning of the gift before giving
E.g: red roses are for close friend and lover, Holiday
Branding Slides
Cards express gratitude for business associates.
www.slideforest.com
04.
Attitude towards time
Ø Meetings should be scheduled
about two weeks in advance

Ø Confirm a day or two before the

appointments.
 Be punctual

Ø Arrive at the meeting on time to

show you politeness. If you’re late,
call to explain and apologize

Ø A 5-minute delay is tolerated if it

has been confirmed.

Ø People in the South: more casual

attitudes to time.
Thank you for listening!