Au Contraire: Figuring out the French - Softcover

Asselin, Gilles; Mastron, Ruth

Softcover

ISBN 10: 187786482X ISBN 13: 9781877864827

Publisher: UNKNO, 2000

Synopsis

When Coca-Cola entered the French market with a hard-core bottom-line management style, they were met with boycotts in cafes and supermarkets. At the launch of Euro Disney in Paris, Mickey Mouse was greeted by angry protestors hurling tomatoes and eggs. As a culture, the French are fiercely independent yet romantic, conservative yet avant-garde, rational yet emotional.Written for anyone interested in or interacting with the French, Au Contraire!: Figuring Out the French unearths the often-invisible cultural forces that govern behavior. Gilles Asselin and Ruth Mastron draw upon their own experiences as consultants and trainers, as well as that of expatriate students and professionals, to offer the best and most useful analysis and advice on French-American intercultural relations. Going beyond the obvious, this bilingual and bicultural author team explores what lies behind what we see: the assumptions, attitudes, patterns of thought and beliefs that make the French so.French.In a global world filled with multinational mergers and international partnerships, Au Contraire! provides context and perspective on what happens when Americans and the French come together at work, at home, and in any social setting, touching on issues like education, play, friendship, romance and politics. They highlight the dynamics of working and managing across the French and American cultural divide with an in-depth case study of how pharmaceutical giant Rhone-Poulenc Rorer overcame challenges by fostering cross-cultural teamwork. With a quick and useful guide to social etiquette and professional guidelines for managers working in the United States and in France, Au Contraire! provides critical tools to develop creative and appropriate responses to any situation, based on a deep understanding of the unique dynamics of these two cultures.

About this title

About the Author

Gilles Asselin, founder and president of New Jersey-based SoCoCo Intercultural, is a program designer, trainer and consultant who helps international executives and managers succeed when working across cultures. Ruth Mastron is vice president of SoCoCo Intercultural and was formerly a liason for overseas operations for various international corporations.

Edition details

• Publisher: UNKNO
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 187786482X
• ISBN 13: 9781877864827
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 308