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Travel Tips
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Traveling to France
Editor’s note: Global business, and subsequently, global business travel, continues to expand rapidly. In response, CWT Traveler will provide to readers each month in 2007 insights and tips on traveling from North America to other countries around the world. This month’s installment focuses on France
In business:
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Visitors should apologize for not speaking French before requesting in English directions or information.
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Make appointments for business and social meetings and be punctual. Business appointments and transactions should maintain a formal atmosphere.
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When attending a formal French dinner it is important to know about some of the wines of France and the seven courses in a Parisian restaurant: soup, fish, sorbet, meat or fowl, salad, dessert, and coffee. Also, show enthusiasm about the food before starting business conversation.
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In negotiations, one may encounter many opinions and objections to proposals, since it is common in French conversation to voice all opinions. However, it is not necessary to respond to them all.
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When greeting, shaking hands is customary; however, a strong grip is not necessary, and women always offer their hand first.
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All titles and forms of address should be used until someone has given permission for their first name to be used. Women should always be addressed as “Madame.”
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If someone offers their business card, treat it with care and always offer your own, translated in French if possible.
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Managers have very close relationships with their employees. They are often treated like family, and managers will stand by their employees, even if they are wrong.
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The relational network that a business contact possesses is generally more important than the accomplishments they have attained.
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The French are very individualistic and their personal identity is based on their social status.
Good to know:
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France’s primary language is French; however, there are 28 additional regional languages and dialects spoken throughout France.
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The weather in France can be very unpredictable and at times can be severe.
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France all but closes during the month of August, since workers are given four to five weeks off and many of them take their holidays in July and August.
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Hierarchies and social status are taken very seriously and should be respected.
Source: “Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Bestselling Guide to Doing Business in More Than 60 Countries,” by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway. Published by Adams Media of Avon, Massachusetts.
Protecting one’s home while away on business
While traveling for work, there are many things one should do to keep one’s self and one’s belongings safe, whether it be in airports, taxi cabs, hotels or meeting locations. And, it is equally important to keep one’s home safe and secure while away.
According to FBI statistics, almost half of all residential burglaries occur when a house is empty and in many cases, burglars can be in and out of a home within 60 seconds. The following tips can help travelers mitigate the risk of burglary to their homes:
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Ensure all doors and windows have heavy-duty locks and latches. For added security on windows and sliding doors, use a secondary blocking device, such as a wooden dowel.
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Use motion-detecting lights outside where feasible.
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Advertise alarm systems with stickers on doors and windows or with a prominent lawn sign.
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Post “Beware of Dog” signs while away, even if there is no dog inside. Burglars won’t know the difference and will likely be deterred.
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Set lights on timers programmed for random operation to turn on and off periodically.
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Recruit trusted neighbors to keep an eye on the house, or leave a key with them.
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Don’t leave spare keys hidden outside, even in places that don’t seem obvious.
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Cut the lawn before leaving and trim back any shrubs or tree limbs covering windows, so neighbors can easily keep an eye on what’s going on inside.
Sources: MSNBC, Crime Stoppers
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