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Living in FranceLiving in France
Cross-cultural Seminar
Helena Kasparova
Copyleft - come-to-France.net 2005
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IntroductionIntroduction
Objectives : – This session is designed to acquaint foreign
people with the French way of life. – The topics range from the cultural issues to
practical advices for the everyday life Means :
– 40 slides dealing with key-factors to succeed one’s personal integration in France.
– A booklet with articles, examples and useful figures, also available in a cd-rom.a
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The instructorThe instructor
Helena Kasparova– French and Czech citizen– East-west consultant since 1998 and founder of
Democratie-electronique.org– Master's degree in IT management and post-
graduate diploma in political [email protected]
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Being a foreigner in FranceBeing a foreigner in France
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How foreigners are perceived How foreigners are perceived in Francein France
French people and the rest of world
– The French don’t know geography– They respect and fear only big countries
About Slovakia *– Where is Slovakia ? / Current confusions– Slovakia has no image in France and in the European Union– Stereotypes
Slovaks in France
– Slovak community– Famous Slovaks
* The following presentation is designed to help Slovaks living and working in France. Come-to-France has similar presentations for more than 20 countries in the world
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What distinguish Slovaks with What distinguish Slovaks with French people in their values and French people in their values and their way of lifetheir way of life
Historical heritage in France– Importance of republican values– As a multicultural and multiethnic country, France is used
to foreigners presence
About French people– French people are more sophisticated than Slovaks– French are notorious ralors
Everyday life differences / habits– A pledge has not the same importance– To be / or not to be on time– (Not) Speaking about one’s political opinions
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Building personal networksBuilding personal networks
The personal networks are fundamental for work and social life, but they are difficult to build.– Familiarity and too fast testimonies of friendship
are little appreciated and arise suspicion– It is recommended to benefit from the richness
of the French culture before being able to benefit from people, which are less accessible.
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Socializing with French peopleSocializing with French people
The French are not an unfriendly, cold or arrogant people.– This complaint is a misperception of a
behavior found most often in Paris and not necessarily the rest of the country
Politeness and appropriate behaviours are requested– The codes are very present in France : shaking
hands, kissing cheeks of ladies, politeness, gallantry, using titles and names...
– One should be sensitive to the volume of his or her voice.
What are the origins of the famous French « galanterie » ?
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The importance of the lookThe importance of the look The Renaissance period has affected the southern
catholic part of Europe, where still today the look can be more important than the essence.
The French are very conscientious of their appearance.
– Clothing count very much for French people– Generally, the French take great care to dress
fashionably, whether they are wearing formal or casual attire
– They feel more at ease with visitors who show the same degree of attention to appearance
The French are careful about their personal habits, being discreet when sneezing, blowing the nose, etc.– They avoid using personal items, such as combs
and toothpicks, in public. A TV star in France must cultivate her look
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The country of human rightsThe country of human rights
The French are very aware of their presence, and are extremely proud of their heritage. – They boast of their long history and their
important roles in world affairs, as well as being known as a world center for culture.
– They are ethnocentric: the behaviours of foreigners are judged through the prism of the values of the French culture
Our more famous King, Louis XIV, was called the Sun king (1638- 1715)
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The French are very Cartesian, which is an heritage of the Greco-Roman Empire (the Greek logos).– They vow a cult to science and positivism
The ideal of social justice, defended by V. Hugo and other romantic figures, is still vivid in France: – France has a welfare state, social security for all...– The goal of justice is the key factor for making decisions, whether in
professional sphere or in the private sphere.– Any decision can be made if it seems that it is fair, even though it is not
the best at the collective level.– A unequal treatment is acceptable if it helps reducing unequalities: hold
the door to a woman, give foreigner more time to solve a problem, etc.
The French spirit: fairness The French spirit: fairness and justiceand justice
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What French people accept and What French people accept and deny from foreignersdeny from foreigners
Vérité au-deçà des Pyrénées, erreur au-delà.» Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662).
The spirit of tolerance is characteristic of the French mentality– Each individual is free of its
opinions and its acts, as long as they do not encroach on the freedom of the others
– France being an immigration country, the French accept rather well different manners and habits from foreigners
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A day in the life of…A day in the life of…
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The educational systemThe educational system
Schools (and Universities) are free. The school last all day long, with hours and hours
devoted to the French language and many other hours to mathematics.
The French Grandes Ecoles: an elitist system The average level of education (languages spoken,
sciences...) is declining gradually. Current issues: the veil, violences, illeteracy, strikes of
teachers...
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The French health systemThe French health system Functionning of the health
sector : a free system with excellent medical treatment, but in crisis
The Card « Vitale », how it works and what it gives
Life expectancy at birth: the French live 6,5 years longer than the Slovaks
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The MediaThe Media Television: the first awaken
activity of French people Magazine and newspapers: a
sector in crisis Internet is relatively little
developped in France
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Religion : comparison with Religion : comparison with SlovakiaSlovakia Religion in France has
little impact for Catholics, but more for Muslims– Especially young French
people are less and less interested in religion
Religions en France
Catholiques
Musulmans
Protestants
Juifs
Autres
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Politics: comparison with Politics: comparison with SlovakiaSlovakia There is an alternance in
politics between the left and the right.– At each legislative election
since 1978, the ruling party has lost.
The referendum as means of popular expression
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Culture and entertainment: the Art of Culture and entertainment: the Art of LivingLiving
Most important in France is how a person lives: his charm, his level of culture as well as his mastery of French. – His life is a matter of being — living in
the present. Since the “Enlightenments”, France
officially values art and litterature.– The French cultural exception– But culture concerns mainly an elite– Average French people are interested
in football and television.
Dominique de Villepin, a famous French Minister, is a poet. President Chirac has said on television that he never goes to sleep without reading Apollinaire.
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Food and eating : le "terroir", Food and eating : le "terroir", quality of life and ritualsquality of life and rituals Gastronomy is considered an art
– French are proud of their cuisine– French wine, champagne, and Brandy
are popular. Etiquette is important.
– Both hands remain above the table at all times.
– One can ask for water, but not for a dish or wine.
– The couples can be separated in order to facilitate the communication.
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Making friends : intimacy, Making friends : intimacy, greetingsgreetings
It is easier for foreigners to make friend with other foreigners rather than with French people.
When addressing people for the first time, always use the family (last) name plus the correct French honorific, Monsieur or Madame– One should use « vous » rather than « tu » – La bise (or the kiss on both cheeks) is a common greeting
once there is a relationship between women and men In formal social activities, clothing is less formal than at
work, but it must be chosen with taste
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Being invitedBeing invited
Gifts are expected for social events, especially to thank the host of private dinner parties. – Gift giving is left to the foreigner’s discretion. – Good gifts to present include flowers, books or
music (as they demonstrate interest in intellectual pursuits), fine chocolates.
– Avoid wine, because your host no doubt has already selected the wine for the meal.
– A thanking card sent the day after is appreciated
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Holidays and free timeHolidays and free time
French employees work 35 hours a week and have a minimum of 25 days of holidays, plus about 10 bank holidays.– Very much atomized, the tourism
sector offer low prices. During holidays, French people
take the time to do...nothing The museums, Le Bois de
Boulogne, Eurodisney, Parc Astérix, Le Stade de France, Paris Bercy
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France as homeFrance as home
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Present issues in FrancePresent issues in France
With six million Moslems living in France, friendly relations with Islam have been a priority of the present French government.
People are concerned with their safety, that is why the extreme-right Party is strong
The referendum for the future of the European Union The war in Irak The rights of the Gay community The altermondialists Downloading illegally software
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How France is not as modern as How France is not as modern as one would expectone would expect France is a very centralized country: “Paris et le
Désert français”. The French economy had long been rural and
protectionist, with small enterprises and little enterprise spirit.
Because of 1500 years of invasions and catastrophes, the French are wary and conservative
The information technologies are less widespread than in Northern Europe and the USA
Discrimination is common in France, including towards women, handicapped people, foreigners...
The French Administration has been unable to reform for the last thirty years
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Why France is one of the most Why France is one of the most agreable countries in the world to agreable countries in the world to live inlive in
– France ranks n°3 in the world for tourism• The country has many world leading tourist
locations: Paris, Mont Saint-Michel, Provence, Alps…
• But France ranked n°1 two years ago ; it has been overcome by the USA and Spain.
– France ranks in the world top 20 for the Index of Human Development
• The welfare state is very developped (see details)
• But France ranked n°2 ten years ago.
– France is famous for its « Art de Vivre ».
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Practical question and answer Practical question and answer session about settling down in session about settling down in FranceFrance
– Questions are open in any field: • Lodging, leisure, culture, holidays,
raising children… • Cost of life in Paris / Paris
compared with other cities
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Useful places to know in Paris Useful places to know in Paris and/or Lyonand/or Lyon
– The Prefecture– The townhall– The police– La « Fourrière »
…
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Analysis of a few differences Analysis of a few differences between Slovakia and Francebetween Slovakia and France French people have less values than Slovaks: they aim at
achieving their personal development without exterior pressions (family, work, religion…).
The professional career, whether in the public or the private sector, is valued by more people in France than in Slovakia.
– Some French people build their identity only around their professional position
– The separation between private and professional life is strong People do not have the same position in the society and they
do not mix with each other.– France is a highly stratified society, with strong definition and
competition between classes.
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Communicating with the FrenchCommunicating with the French
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Deciphering the communication Deciphering the communication « à la française »« à la française » French people feel committed to what
they write, but not to what they say. French people hesitate to say no, they
prefer not to answer or to answer in a vague way.
To say that he or she is cold, a French person will use ambiguous expressions such as « il ne fait pas chaud » (It is not hot), « je n’ai pas chaud »(I don’t feel hot), etc.
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Greetings and contactGreetings and contact
Shaking hands upon greeting and parting is customary in France
– French handshakes are not as firm as in other countries Many business people speak English, but
correspondence and negotiations in the French language provide a distinct advantage over competitors who use only English.
The French have a great appreciation for the art of conversation.
– It is done in a spirit of camaraderie and in an effort to build a relationship based on intellectual prowess and élan.
– People will be not be judged on their opinion if they are founded on logical
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A non verbal communication with A non verbal communication with limited constraintslimited constraints
– One can use his or her body to express oneself (gestures, steps, expressions of the face…), but it is not compulsary
• Gestures complement the arguments, but they should be avoided for communication (pointing with the finger, waving with the hand…)
• Smiles are not interpreted in a particular way
– Silences are uncommon during a conversation, except when everything that could be said has been said
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How far to stay from one’s How far to stay from one’s counterpart ?counterpart ? The French have a great respect for privacy.
– One should knock and wait before entering into a room and give notice before arriving.
– An aggressive handshake is considered impolite The optimal distance between two people which are
communicating (proxemics) is similar for French and Slovaks (about 60-70 cm)– But frontiers are more permeable for the French than for the
Slovaks.– Eye contact is frequent and relatively intense, and can be
intimidating to other cultures
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Conversation topics and areas Conversation topics and areas to avoidto avoid Almost all topics of conversation are
accepted, but they preferably should be general and not personal– French people hesitate to state their opinions
or to debate issues where there is not a consensus
– Frankness is not always a virtue, lying not always a sin
– People do not disclose the amount of their salaries
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Complaining: a French Complaining: a French specialityspeciality French people criticize many things and
often complain, but it generally concerns general problems (politics, weather, traffic jams…) rather than their personal problems– One should not talk about one’s unhappiness – « ça ne va pas bien »(I don’t feel well) is not an
expected nor appreciated answer
To the traditional question « ça va ? »…… The expected answer is : « ça va » and « et toi, ça va ? »
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Working in another language : points Working in another language : points to keep in mind with French people to keep in mind with French people Some characteristics of the communication « à la
Française » are wrongly perceived as aggressive behavior or impoliteness by foreigners:
– The French frequently interrupt each other, as the argument is a form of entertainment.
– The French give lessons in correct pronunciation ; it should be taken as a compliment that they are interested enough in you to help you get it right.
The French have certitudes based upon their logical spirit, which seems arrogant to other cultures.
– When a French person thinks to be right, he or she gives her opinion, even though without been asked for it.
Making fun at somebody is more a matter of humour rather than a will to hurt.
French Président Jacques Chirac gives lessons: The behavior of Eastern European countries is « ill-educated » « They have missed an occasion to stay quiet »
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Etiquette and formalityEtiquette and formality
The most important characteristics of French business behavior are its emphasis on courtesy and a certain formality.
– Communication is more written (and often hand written) than oral
– Correspondence, whether by mail or by fax, should be acknowledged promptly.
– The Business card is very much used– Appointment schedules and hierarchical
titles are to be respected– Gifts are not necessary in business but
Greetings cards can be send to clients for the New Year.
Veuillez agréer, chère Madame, l’expression de mes salutations distinguées.
How to translate this sentence in Slovak ?
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Appearance and dressAppearance and dress
Professional attire is expected.– At work, employees are expected to dress conservative
and invest in well-tailored clothing and branded and quality cloths
– Patterned fabrics and dark colors are most acceptable, unlike bright colors, even for women, or glitzy or overpowering objects, such as flashy jewelry.
– French businessmen do not loosen their ties or take off their jackets in the office.
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