France - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Don’t just see the sights—get to know the people.

The French are "different." You'll often hear this in conversations among the "Anglo-Saxons," as the French like to call English-speakers. "Different" means charming, challenging, questioning, stylish, and doing things in their own way and to their own advantage.

By looking at the attitudes and values of the French, and explaining how French life and business works, Culture Smart! France shows you how to fit in as a foreigner. It gives practical advice on how to avoid faux pas and how to behave in different contexts. It takes you through French history, festivals, and traditions, and describes the French at home and at work. Above all, it shows you how the French communicate, and how to get the best out of this idiosyncratic and brilliant people.

Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.

Barry Tomalin, M.A. is an English writer, trainer, and public speaker specializing in cultural awareness and international communication. He was Director of Cultural Training at International House, London, and Visiting Lecturer at the London Academy of Diplomacy, University of East Anglia. A former producer and presenter with the BBC World Service, he has worked in more than sixty countries worldwide, including France, Algeria, and Francophone West Africa. He is also the author of Culture Smart! Germany and Italy.