Business Etiquette and Communication in France and China: An Intercultural Approach

Abstract

In a world where business competition has become more and more intense, every single detail must be taken into account in order to be competitive. Business etiquettes have become the necessary standards in all the firms to optimize their business and administration efficiency. All the countries are developing their business strategies by creating different ways with certain diversity in terms of cultural development, etc., which can thus inevitably lead to different business etiquettes. Each individual plays a different role in business activities. The purpose of this study is to compare the difference of business etiquettes between China and France. To understand the difference between these two countries, we compared the difference of business etiquettes between China and France by referring to Chinese and French companies doing business in China. The data analysis may provide practical advice for us to be able to avoid causing any ambiguity or misunderstanding between the two countries. The study also revealed the importance of respect and the influence of different reflection habits in these two countries. Thus, it may reach the goal of helping both sides to form a better mutual understanding and providing practical recommendations to better strengthen Sino-French relationships.