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

Culture Smart / Cultuur Bewust

by Barry Tomalin

France has experienced considerable upheaval in recent years. The Eurozone crisis, a new socialist president, rioting by an alienated underclass, a ban on the burqa (full veil) in public places, and an attempt to democratize the elite system of education all point to significant changes in French society. At the same time leading French companies are major investors in European energy resources, services, and luxury products, and between three and four hundred thousand French people live in Britain, making London, as former President Sarkozy stated, France’s fifth- or sixth-largest city. The implications of these changes have not yet fully permeated French society, but they reveal a slow process of adaptation to new realities.
 
Meanwhile, in international affairs, France makes a major and distinctive contribution and carefully guards its interests and prestige. The rivalry between Paris and the provinces continues the traditional split between North and South. France as a whole maintains its stately pace as a centre of culture, civilization, and, of course, the good life, which is one of the reasons it remains, with 75 million visitors a year, the most visited country in the world.
 
This new, updated edition of Culture Smart! France looks at the attitudes and values of the French today. It explains how French life and business work and shows you how to fit in as a foreigner. There is practical advice on how to avoid the pitfalls and do things the French way. It takes you through history, festivals, and traditions, the French at home, on the road, in the restaurant, and at work. Above all, it shows you how the French communicate, and how best to get along with this sometimes frustrating yet charming and brilliant people.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, France, History, Cultural

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another one of the books I read in preparation for travel. This was part of a Culture Smart! series, the first I have read of this series. I found it to be easy to consume and helpful. It began with sections on geography and history, neither of which I was expecting in this type of book, but which I found beneficial, especially the history section. My knowledge of French history is a bit weak and could use a more significant refresh, but every little bit helps. The rest of the book, which focused on customs and culture, as the title indicated, was very informative although a bit repetitive at times. I found this book aimed at both the vacation tourist and the business traveler, so some sections could be skipped depending on your purpose. I still found the sections that were not directly relevant to me to be interesting.

Overall, short and beneficial, but could have been even more concise.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

35: Charles de Gaulle once said "The French will only be united under the threat of danger. Nobody can simply bring together a country that has 265 kinds of cheese."

[Gadi Nissim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smart and useful

A useful short book that combines witty observations about France and french people with helpful tips and advices about getting along there, particularly when doing business.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There must have been more than 1 author writing this book. There’s a lot of repetition on certain subjects, such as food and clothing.

[Kasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author didn’t say anything about the quintessential coolness of the French. The land of „whatever, couldn’t care less“. It seems to me as if Barry Tomalin has lived in Paris for a long time.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished a quick run-through of France - Culture Smart!. With my trip coming up in a few months, I wanted to get a head start on understanding the local customs. I’ve always preferred books over videos—there’s something about the depth of a written guide that aligns better with how I learn. It was a fast read and a very helpful starting point for the journey ahead

[Oana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent little book on customs and ways of communicating. This book would be useful to short-term visitors to France and can be read in 2-3 hours by even the slowest readers. (The history section was confusing as it jumped around a bit.)

[Rossie]

Quite a good book to have if you plan to go to France :)

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice, quick read on France & culturally favored etiquette expectations by the natives. "We are all different." My grandson said about age 5. He's right!