Right now, we only have to visit three more cities. It all went so fast! The last city we have visited was Paris. Like they say in French: “La ville de l’amour”.
But, I am not going to talk about love, but about the business etiquette over there and besides a little about the financial particulars of that specific city.
So, first of all you have to shake hands when you meet someone. It is very good when you speak a little of the local language. If you speak English, try to be patient and speak slowly.
It is really important that you are friendly, whether in professional settings or in social settings.
Some examples: When you go for shopping, always greet with a “bonjour monsieur/madame” and “au revoir”.
When you ask the way, always start with: “excusez-moi de vous déranger, madame/monsieur”.
If you always do this you will see the people over there will also be very friendly.
I am going further about how you have to behave during meetings, and so on.
You never speak to someone by using his/her firstname, this is ‘reserved’ for family and close friends.
As present you can always give a bouquet flowers. It is better not to give a number of 13 flowers, because that is considered as unlucky.
Furthermore you can also give wine. Make sure that the wine you give is one of the highest quality.
To finish the business etiquettes I still have some meeting tips:
- You always have to be on time
- Appointments should be made at least two weeks in advance
- Do not try to arrange meetings during the vacation period: July and August
- Always dress elegant and stylish
- They like it when you wear some accessories.
On the 21th July 2008, was Paris ranked at the second place of the world’s largest corporations.
There are a lot of big enterprises of which the principal seat is situated in Paris. We have Carrefour, BNP Paribas, Peugeot, Renault, France Télécom, Danone, Air France, Axa, and so on.
Next to that there are also a lot of other big enterprises which are situated in France. I think about L’Oréal Group, Michelin, and much more.
The trade in France is one of the largest in the world.
The main export in France, in 2010, was principally:
- Machinery and transportation equipment and aircraft
- Plastics, chemicals and pharmaceutical products
- Iron and steel
- Beverages.
The main import is chiefly:
- Machinery and equipment
- Vehicles and aircraft
- Crude oil
- Plastics and chemicals.
Sources:
- http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3925.html
- http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/france-country-profile.html
- http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2008/cities/
- http://www.economywatch.com/world_economy/france/export-import.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Paris
- http://www.paris.eu/information/background/economy/
- http://www.economywatch.com/world_economy/major-world-cities/paris-economy.html
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