Global Cultural Analysis free essay sample

France is the largest state in EU and its economy is considered to be well developed. France is one of the world’s largest trading countries. This paper will address more about France and its culture and business. Major Elements and Dimensions of Culture of France History of France Emergence of the Nation. The emergence of the modern nation took place over several centuries and resulted from a combination of the cultural influences of Gauls, Romans, and Fronks. France was inhabited mainly by the Gauls, a celtic-language group, when the Roman conquest of the territory began in the first century B. C.E. The Gallo-Roman period ended when the Frankish peoples began to enter the territory from the Germanic east during the fifth century, led by Clovis. The term â€Å"France† comes from the Franks and has three historical meanings. It is referred to the area around Paris; the Ile-de-France region, which was originally a duchy; and the area known as the kingdom of France, ruled by Hugh Cupet and his descendants. Culture of France France has been the center of culture since the seventeenth century. It has been recognized for the resilience of its people and the aesthetic sense in cinema, cuisine, and fashion. It is today the melting pot of diverse cultures. France still retains its own unique appeal when it comes to ethnicity, geography, and the French language. The culture of France has been largely influenced by mandatory defense service, the Franco-Prussian feud and the World War I and World War II. France remains a nation of multiple ethnicity and religions, and of regional diversity that includes French people from around the globe. Education According to the OECD, France’s education system is average, compared to the other developed countries. Education is compulsory in France from the ages of 6 to 16, but a large, majority of children starts school well before the minimum age, often as young as two year olds, and over 50% of 18-21 year olds in France are still in full-time education, or else following a vocational training course. 64% of all school pupils in France complete their secondary education, and take the high-school leaving certificate examinations, known as the baccalaureate of the baccalaureate professional. Language and Religion The language follows a predetermined official originality standard that may not be mandatory in application everywhere. French is widely spoken across the globe, in spite of repression of regional and foreign languages in certain countries. It is part and parcel of the education forum and a popular option n many bilingual educational institutions. Christianity is the dominant religion and France has the most concentration of churches and basilicas than other forms of religious buildings. A fine blend of following of Catholicism, Protestants, Muslims, Jews, and atheists live in France and add quality to the essence of French character. Customs and Traditions The slight regional differences in modern France are displayed in colorful linguistic tradition, religious tolerance, fashion, family structure, industries and cuisine. An unusual French tradition of beheading bottles of champagne using a specially-made saber is popular at weddings. This tradition is said to symbolize victory. Another popular tradition that is celebrated in France is Bastille Day. Parades are seen with dancing in the street, cultiminating in fireworks display at night. In France it is considered rude to point with your index finger, rather than use an open hand. Another popular tradition is that almost all locals clear out of their cities and leave on a vacation, either by venturing to the other parts of the world or simply go camping in their own countryside. Family amp; Relationships The family is the social adhesive of the country and each member has certain duties and responsibilities. The extended family provides both emotional and financial support. Despite their reputation as romantics, the French have a practical approach towards marriage. Families have few children, but parents take their role as guardians and providers. The French are private people and they have different rules of behavior for people within their social circle and those who are not. It is only with their close friends and family that they are free to be themselves. Elements and Dimensions integrated by locals that conduct business in France Communication It is important to speak French to do business in France. France keeps close links in the world with French speaking people and French multinational companies insist on using French, even if the broader language context is English . Shake hands when meeting and parting and when doing business in France, use first names only after being invited to do so. Use Monsieur or Madame followed the surname. Attitude/Business Etiquette When doing business in meetings in France, remain polite and courteous at all times. Avoid personal questions. Try not to appear over friendly as this may be construed as suspicious. Ensure that you have a carefully planned proposal that has been logically organized and presented. Dress well, the French draw information on people based on their appearance. Your business attire is a reflection of your success and social status. Always try to be tasteful, stylish and conservative. Women are advised to dress simply but elegantly, and wear accessories and make-up is practiced wisely by business women. Men should wear dark-colored suits and for both men and women, foot wear is important. When packing for France, always skip the shoes that you would wear on a cold, snowy day and choose the shoes that you would wear to an evening wedding instead. In the French business world, making a good impression means being well put together from head to toe. Comparison of the Unites States and France Culture and Business The United States has a population of 301,139,947. In the US a firm, short handshake indicates self-confidence and masculinity. The US does not have an official language, but English is spoken by about 82% of the population as a native language. The variety of English spoken in the US is known as American English. The family unit is generally considered the nuclear family, and is typically small. Extended family relatives live in their own homes, often at great distances from their children. France population is 60, 424,213. Handshakes are light and quick in France, a strong handshake is considered aggressive. French is the official language of 88% of the population. Families have few children and private relationships. If the French live in an apartment building, it is polite to greet your neighbors with the same appellation. French business behavior emphasizes courtesy and a degree of formality. US small businesses have much lower share of employment than the comparison economies do in the two high-tech fields for which the OECD publishes data; computer-related services and research and development. French business can be conducted during any meal, but lunch is best, all business dealings in France are much more formal than in the US. In the US, business people quickly adopt the use of first names. In France, one remains â€Å"Mr. Jones† for years. Implications for US businesses that wish to conduct business in France Trade and investment / challenges of conducting business Trade and investment between the US and France are strong. An average over 1 million dollars in commercial transactions take place between France and the US every day. France ranks as the US thirteenth largest supplier for imports of goods and eleventh-largest customer for US exports. The US doing business in France, they have skilled manpower, good educational and research levels, and excellent infrastructures. Global companies that are doing business in another country like France, the additional cultural, legal, and administrative challenges add another level of complexity and often an additional expense burden. The benefits of doing business in France are many; in order to eliminate or at least minimize this burden, many US firms, whether starting a business in France or already doing business there, are moving towards outsourcing their personnel demands to interim/project management firms. Conclusion In this research paper analysis I have discussed the research questions and addressed facts about France’s culture and the United States culture and the comparison of the two countries. By doing this analysis and research, I learned a lot of interesting facts about France that I never knew about and the United States being one of France’s trading partners and the US companies that conducted business in France.