French Women and Managers

In France alot of importance is given to contracts. Till you don't sign a contract, you have not won the trust. Unlike some other countries (like China) where you have to build the trust by wining, dining and getting to know each other well before you sign a deal. If you are invited to a french household, it is a matter of honour because it clearly indicates that you have won the trust but beware, as Indians we tend to be nice to our host and offer to help them with food and kitchen but in France, its a strict NO. It is seen as an infringement of their personal space. Very different from US or India. Dinner invitations are more formal here.

Now lets talk about French Women. Western world since the last many centuries is known for emphasising on "individuality" and giving respect to an individual's own space, needs and habits. It is the same in France...women are independent BUT what stands out is the fact that they are still very feminine or womanly (primarily in business context)...they want to be treated like women (with all the chivalry in place) unlike some places where women are taking feminist movements to crazy heights like asking for same shoes as men in the military! (with no respect for biology) Work place harrassment has not become extremely fragile here. They are extremely secure of their gender. As our professor puts it, they may also play with it.

The system in France is very hierarchical and people in power want to be seen as people in power (sounds like India?). Pecking order is important. In colleges, the management may have rooms at the top floor!

"State knows best" is felt popularly across France and hence private charities are not really liked in France (Warren Buffet beware!). People may try to find hidden agendas in private charities. Roots for this can be found in the fact that the French believe in a "Zero-sum game". So someone has to lose for somebody else to gain. Hence if you talk about the success story of Dhirubhai Ambani here marked with the built-from-scratch attribute, it will lead to a certain analysis resulting in finding who became poorer when he became richer (of course, this is not true always).

And last but not the least, the best expression of your knowledge is Language. How well you articulate, impress people with your speech and proper use of language is what will determine your success in France. There is an academy dedicated to the language and dont be surprised if the French correct your language and suggest better words (this is not to be taken as an offense but as a sign of help).

With this I end this post, and apologise for not being able to post everyday after an ambitious start. Probably you can visit once a week to avoid disappointment.