Adjusting to the French culture

Greeting French people in France is a complicated matter. When you meet someone, you have three options: shake hands, faire la bise (kiss on the cheek), or simply say Bonjour. If you are staying in France for a longer period of time, you will most likely end up having to faire la bise.
Cheek kissing is a very common ritual to say hello or goodbye in France, between men and women, between women, and occasionally between men. The most common practice is two kisses, one on each cheek, but the region will determine how many kisses to give.
It is done to show affection, friendship or even respect. However, please note that the way the French greet each other changes according to the context: if you are a man or a woman, if the person is a co-worker or a manager, if you are at work or at a friend’s house...
In France, people tend to shake hands in a formal context, such as at the office, whereas it’s more common to faire la bise upon greeting acquaintances and strangers in an informal setting. And remember that hugging is only an option with very close friends and family: most people will feel uncomfortable if you try to hug them. It’s considered too intimate.

The French believe that politeness is one of the most important value. The word Bonjour is the keystone to politeness in France. For example, entering a shop and not saying Bonjour is considered as rude. Here go a few examples that might help you:
Say pardon if you bump into someone, use the conditional in French “je voudrais” (I would like) instead of “je veux” (I want), avoid touching the person you are talking to, don’t talk too loud,, open a present in front of the giver, ask comment ? instead of quoi ? when you don’t understand what has been said to you, etc.

The words tu and vous both mean you. Using tu or vous will depend on the person being spoken or written to.
The words tu and vous determine how interpersonal relationships are constructed in France: tu expresses familiarity and solidarity, and can be used between teenagers and colleagues of the same hierarchical level.
Similarly, vous is a pronoun of politeness and formality that expresses social distance and respect, and it may also be used to express superiority. It can be difficult even to the French to determine which form of address should be used. Start by using vous to avoid being seen as ill-mannered. Changing from vous to tu is considered as a transition to a whole new relationship. The Los Angeles times published an amusing chart explaining the use of vous and tu.

In France both business and political life are characterised by a fairly strong hierarchical structure compared to Anglo-Saxon world for instance. Remember that these are generalisations, sometimes this will be relevant, and sometimes it will not. However, it will help you better understand that French culture has a strong inherent sense of hierarchy. This influences social relations, the relationship between managers and subordinates and the use of vous. Try to observe people’s behaviour to find the appropriate conduct.     

French communication style can be very direct, honest, and frank because people are not afraid to share their opinions. They value wit and provocative humour, which can be misunderstood by foreigners. However, the French communication style can simultaneously be very indirect, implicit and difficult to interpret, leading to ambiguity. Reading between the lines is often necessary to find the full message.
The lack of clarity can confuse foreigners, especially in a work environment, as they experience it as a lack of concrete information. Moreover, the French favour a neutral, serious and guarded behaviour in a formal setting and disregard unpredictable and reckless behaviour.

In France, talking about your earnings and money is taboo, and is even considered as improper. It is considered rude to ask someone’s salary. Moreover, the French disapprove visible symbols of wealth, high class people will more likely talk about their culture and their higher education diplomas instead.

In France, debating and talking about ideas is considered as a way of life. The French are ready to debate about any topic, such as current affairs, society and politics. A meeting, including at work, is held to debate and discuss issues, not to make decisions. The French will prefer the ability to demonstrate their intellectual faculties and this will mean discussing polar views, convincing, explaining and justifying ideas.

The French are very rigorous with their orthographe (spelling), considered as part of their cultural identity. Try to speak French when you meet people and learn some important French words that would come useful during your stay in France. Moreover, good spelling is a key factor in selection.