Q & A

Subject: Cultural differences

Question: Because of their different cultural backgrounds, what would you think are some problems and challenges a French and an American business person would have to deal with if they had to get together for business purposes?

Answer: The first and most obvious is going to be the problem of language. My French wife and I still have language misunderstandings even if we both speak the others language. I now feel that when two people get together that don’t speak the same language, the person not speaking their native language is at a disadvantage. Another problem will be the different cultural references that an American and French person would have. For example, when a French and an American are meeting for dinner, the French person would think that dinner time would be later, around 8 p.m., an American around 6 p.m. Cultural note: dinner is the most important act for a French family. Especially for family gatherings and holidays. The French, I feel, tend to be less direct than Americans, in general. The French tend to talk around things and not get to the point as quickly as an Americans would. Also, they are not as obsessed with time as Americans are. Arriving late for an appointment or work is not that big a deal as it is in America. The French are more formal than Americans. They would never call a business associate by their first name. The French tend to keep their distance in working relationships. First names are almost never used, everyone is call Mr. or Ms.

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