Although the culture may appear staid on the surface, this conceals a system in which personal relationships and networks are very important, and in which it is crucial to establish good contacts. The culture is very male dominated, with relatively few women in senior positions.

You should make appointments in advance and try to arrive on time, although a delay of up to 15 minutes is acceptable. Try to avoid the holiday periods of August, Christmas and Easter. Business hours vary, but are generally between 8.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, with a two-hour lunch break.

Although many French people can speak English, you should always translate written materials into French. If you cannot conduct business in French, be sure to apologise for your lack of proficiency in the language.

Much attention is paid to appearance here; you should try to dress conservatively in smart and stylish clothes.

A light, quick handshake is the normal form of greeting, and an air kiss is often used between close friends. Physical contact, such as a pat on the back or arm, is common in France.

The French are lively, passionate negotiators, who use a direct, probing style of communication. They appreciate presentations which are practical and well-reasoned, with plenty of hard data, but dislike hype. Meetings can be lengthy as they analyse points in great detail, but decisions are often deferred until after the meeting due to the need to consult senior colleagues.

Business lunches are common and usually consist of a substantial meal with several courses, and wine. The lunch may go on for some time, but business is not normally discussed until near the end, as the French like to enjoy their food first. Gifts are not generally exchanged in business here, but if invited to someone's home you should take a small gift, such as flowers or chocolate, avoiding chrysanthemums, carnations or roses. It is best not to take wine, as French hosts like to select their own.

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