How to (Accidentally) Annoy the French in Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

So, you’ve got a big meeting with a French company. You’re excited. You’ve done your research. You’ve even practiced your Bonjour with the perfect nasal tone. What could possibly go wrong?

A lot.

If you’re looking to impress your French colleagues, avoid these common (and hilarious) business mistakes that foreigners make when working in France. Otherwise, follow this guide to accidentally annoy the French—at your own risk.

 
Step 1: Be Way Too Enthusiastic
Americans, I’m looking at you.

If you burst into a meeting with a loud “Hey guys!!” and a giant smile, your French counterparts might react as if you’ve just walked in with a circus.

The French love a good debate and deep intellectual discussions, but they are a bit more reserved in professional settings. They’re not cold—they’re just not wired to smile excessively while discussing Q4 projections.

💡 What to do instead: Tone it down. A friendly Bonjour with a firm handshake (or two cheek kisses if you’re feeling brave) is the way to go.

 
Step 2: Eat Lunch at Your Desk
Oh, you thought you’d just grab a sandwich and power through emails at your desk?
Mon dieu! What kind of life is that?!

The French believe that food is sacred, and lunch is a time for actual human interaction. Some lunches last two hours, and no one questions it.

💡 What to do instead: Join your colleagues for lunch. Enjoy the meal. Discuss philosophy, art, politics (yes, really), and maybe—just maybe—business.

 
Step 3: Send a One-Sentence Email
You type:

“Hey, can you send me the report? Thanks.”
You think: Quick. Efficient. To the point.
Your French colleague thinks: Why does this person hate me?

In France, email etiquette requires a bit of poetic flair. A short email without pleasantries is practically an act of aggression.

💡 What to do instead: Start with Bonjour [Name], add a polite request (Serait-il possible de…), and end with something formal like Cordialement. Bonus points if you throw in a Merci d’avance!

 
Step 4: Show Up at 8 AM Expecting a Full Office
Ah, the classic work culture shock. You’re ready to grind at the crack of dawn. You walk in… and the office is a ghost town.

Where is everyone?

France is notorious for later start times, and work-life balance is taken seriously. Trying to schedule a meeting before 9 AM? Good luck.

💡 What to do instead: Accept that 10 AM is the real start of the workday. If you really need something early, plan in advance and be prepared for some side-eye.

 
Step 5: Skip the Small Talk and Go Straight to Business
You sit down and launch into:

“Okay, so let’s talk numbers.”
Your French colleagues blink. You have just committed a social crime.

The French like to warm up first—a little small talk, a little intellectual banter. Maybe even a discussion on why American coffee is basically dirty water before diving into business.

💡 What to do instead: Ease into the conversation. Ask how they’re doing, mention a cultural topic, maybe even a Did you see that new film? before getting down to business.

 
Step 6: Assume They Will Follow the Agenda
Oh, you have a bullet-pointed agenda with time slots? That’s cute.

French meetings tend to be fluid. Discussions may go in unexpected directions, arguments may break out (don’t worry, it’s just passion), and decisions might be postponed for another day.

💡 What to do instead: Be flexible. Let the conversation flow naturally, and don’t panic if your agenda suddenly becomes a philosophical debate about work-life balance.

 
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Chaos (With a Glass of Wine)
Doing business in France isn’t about rigid structures and hyper-efficiency—it’s about building trust, enjoying discussions, and taking time to appreciate the finer things in life (like a three-hour lunch).

So, if you want to succeed in the French business world, learn the rhythm, embrace the quirks, and when in doubt—add more politeness to your emails.

And if you ever feel lost? That’s what Clervil Cross-Cultural Consulting is here for.