France business travel information

Doing business in France

With a GDP of approximately € 1,65 trillion, France is the world’s sixth-largest economy. It has substantial agricultural resources, a large industrial base, and a highly skilled work force. A dynamic services sector accounts for an increasingly large share of economic activity and is responsible for nearly all job creation in recent years. Real GDP increased by 0,8 percent in 2008. According to different sources, projections for 2009 GDP would show a decrease of 1 to 1,5 percent.

France is a member of the G-8, the European Union, the World Trade Organization and the OECD, confirming its status as a leading economic player in the world.

France is the second-largest trading nation in Western Europe, after Germany. France had a record-setting € 49 billion deficit in calendar year 2008. Total trade for 2008 amounted to € 772 billion, 75.0% of which was with EU-24 countries.

Government economic policy aims to promote investment and national growth in a stable fiscal and monetary environment. Creating jobs and lowering the high unemployment rate through recovery-supportive policy has been a top priority. The unemployment rate in metropolitan France slipped to just over 7% in the fourth quarter of 2008. Unemployment is expected to increase in 2009.

Despite major reform and privatization over the past 15 years, the government continues to control a large share of economic activity: Government spending, at 53 % of GDP in 2007, is among the highest in the G-7. Regulation of labor and product markets is pervasive. The government continues to own shares in corporations in a range of sectors, including banking, energy production and distribution, automobiles, transportation, and telecommunications.

Product tip: Keep an eye on the size of your trolley Many luggage stores sell suitcases described as ’carry-on’, but these suitcases are sometimes larger than the size most airlines will accept. The safe maximum size is 114 cm, in the form of a 55 x 40 x 20 cm bag. Some airlines allow up to as much as 140 cm, but most do not. Not only do luggage stores and manufacturers seldom tell you if their bag is legally sized or not, but they also frequently mis-measure their bag. Their measurements generally are for the inside of the main compartment, and assume that any external pockets are of zero thickness, rather than stuffed full of things (which can easily add another inch or more) and ignore any external framing such as wheels and carry handle (which can also add another couple of inches).

In case of emergencies

Before you go on your business trip to , France you should always get a travel insurance with a complete coverage.

Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.

The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.

Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.

There is no guarantee that any English will be spoken on any of these emergency and helpline telephone numbers.

In case of a medical emergency:
When you are in Paris and you are in need of medical help you can go to the American Hospital of Paris - 63 boulevard Victor Hugo - 92200 Neuilly-sur-SeineTelephone: 33 (0)1 46 41 25 25 - Fax: 33 (0)1 46 24 49 38

Business Etiquette and Protocol

If your are planning a business trip to France it is a good idea to know at least a little about the culture and etiquette in France. Use these business etiquette tips as a guideline only. There are too many social, personal and business nuances in France to be considered. There is no uniform approach possible for all occasions.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.

• Communication:
  Use formal names and academic titles.
  Business and private are not mixed.
  French are not direct, they prefer subtlety to directness, but questions can be very direct.
  Learn some key phrases French.
  Never interrupt somebody.
  Dress formal and conservative.
  


• Meetings and negotiations:
  When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
  Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
  Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
  Shake hands with everyone upon arriving at the meeting and leaving.
  Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
  First appointments are more socially oriented, French would like to know you a bit better at first.
  A lot of time can be spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
  Agenda’s are not strictly followed and a meeting can take much longer then planned.
  Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
  Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined.
  


• Table manners:
  If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
  Wait until you are appointed a seat.
  Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little. Wineglasses will be refilled when not full, so keep some lots of wine in your glass.
  If making a toast, stand up.
  Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but finish your plate.
  Keep your hands above the table when eating.
  After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
  Thank your host at the end of the meal.
  

Some phrases in French

French is a descendant of the Latin language of the Roman Empire, as are national languages such as Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Romanian and minority languages ranging from Catalan to Neapolitan and many more. Its development was also influenced by the native Celtic languages of Roman Gaul and by the Germanic language of the post-Roman Frankish invaders.

In history most French refused to speak any English. Nowadays the yournger generation speaks quit good English.

Some French phrases can always come in hand....

How are you?	Comment ça va?
I’m fine, thanks. And you?	Ça va bien, merci. Et vous?
What’s your name?	Comment est-ce que vous vous appelez?
My name is ...	Je m’appelle ...
Pleased to meet you	Je suis enchanté(e)
Good day	Bonjour
Good evening	Bonsoir
Good night	Bonne nuit
Goodbye	Au revoir / À bientôt
Have a nice day	Bonne journée !
Bon appetit	Bon appétit !
Cheers/Good health!	À votre santé !
I don’t understand	Je ne comprends pas
Please write it down	Pourriez-vous me l’écrire ?
Excuse me	Excusez-moi !
How much is this?	Ça coûte combien ?
Thank you	Merci beaucoup
You’re welcome	Je vous en prie
Where’s the toilet?	Où sont les toilettes ?
How do you say ... in French?	Comment dit-on ... en français ?
Yes / No	Oui / Non