UNDERSTAND FRANCE

Many sites about France give you facts and information. This site does that too - with a plus. You'll get an insider's view of the Franco-American scene : working in Paris, tips about food, strange behavior of the French, what's new, etc. FRENCH ATTITUDES ; UNDERSTAND STRANGE BEHAVIORS ; THE The French are said to refuse change. At the same time, they always demand reforms and hope for (or fear) a major revolution.T he reason for this illogical attitude toward change is that each change may hurt one of the French sacred cows and it can be summarized in a few often-heard statements : « If I have to change, it means that I lost.»: the French do not believe in the possibility of MAJOR FRENCH ISSUES ; ECONOMY, IMMIGRATION, ISLAM Economic and social issues : What are the French good at? Some basic facts about recent immigration. France has always been a country of immigration.The most recent waves are the Poles and the Italians before WW2, the Spaniards and Portuguese in the 1950s-1960s, the North-Africans in the 1960s, the Asians in the 1970s and the West-Africans in the 1970s-1980s. DOS & DONTS ; ETIQUETTE IN FRANCE ; MANNERS ; EXPATS Useful tips on life in France Expats : DO adjust to France and the French! Table manners, a few tips if you are invited for dinner: don't come too early, don't eat too much of the first course, try everything and do not leave food on your plate, speak lightly (avoiding money and religion) and enjoy a discussion showing "culture générale", don't say "Bon appêtit" (it has become a little QUESTIONS ABOUT FRANCE AND THE FRENCH ; STRANGE FRENCH 1. Who is the employer of professors in public schools and universities ?. School boards ? The State; Cities and Regions ? 2. The % of Textile, Food, Wine, Water, Alcoholic Beverages, Perfumes and Beauty in the French exports to the USA is :. 18% FRENCH CULTURE ; BANDE DESSINÉE ; FRENCH CARTOONS ; COMIC A very popular media in France : comic strips represent more than 12 % of the publishing industry in France (8% in the US). In 2013, it represented almost 4,000 books and more than 37 million copies (40% Franco-Belgian, 40% Mangas, 10% American). A magazine called Pilote, launched in 1959 marks in France the begining of the popularization of

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FRENCH SONGS ; TRADITIONAL FRENCH SONGS ; WHERE TO FIND An excellent site is devoted to the history of French songs from 1870 to 1945, with large excerpts, lyrics and historical comments, many links to other sources. It includes the"50 best French songs", from Le temps des cerises to Les feuilles mortes. THE FRENCH AND AMERICANIZATION ; EXCEPTION CULTURELLE A reference for movie-lovers: A classical illustration is the movie "The Big Day" by Jacques Tati (Jour de Fete, 1949) which shows a French mailman trying to reconcile the way he works, chatting with everybody in a charming old village, and what he has seen of his American colleagues, where everything goes very fast.After hilarious attempts to imitate them, he goes back to his old habits RETIRING IN FRANCE ; RETIRE ; PRACTICAL LIFE ; PENSION The French retirement system. In France, the general rule is that you must retire at age 67 and you can retire from age 62, as long as you have worked 41 (now) then 42 years. According to a 2008-law, which was strongly opposed by the Left, you are now permitted to retire later (until age 70) , but only if you wish. INTERCULTURAL MANAGEMENT ; FRENCH WORK ETHICS ; WORKING Learn how to work with the French with Commisceo-Global . Communicaid is a global leader in the design and delivery of Intercultural Training Courses. More to come Bibliography: for a look at cultural differences in corporate life with the French :. Luigi BARZINI, The Europeans, Penguin, 1983

UNDERSTAND FRANCE

Many sites about France give you facts and information. This site does that too - with a plus. You'll get an insider's view of the Franco-American scene : working in Paris, tips about food, strange behavior of the French, what's new, etc. FRENCH ATTITUDES ; UNDERSTAND STRANGE BEHAVIORS ; THE The French are said to refuse change. At the same time, they always demand reforms and hope for (or fear) a major revolution.T he reason for this illogical attitude toward change is that each change may hurt one of the French sacred cows and it can be summarized in a few often-heard statements : « If I have to change, it means that I lost.»: the French do not believe in the possibility of MAJOR FRENCH ISSUES ; ECONOMY, IMMIGRATION, ISLAM Economic and social issues : What are the French good at? Some basic facts about recent immigration. France has always been a country of immigration.The most recent waves are the Poles and the Italians before WW2, the Spaniards and Portuguese in the 1950s-1960s, the North-Africans in the 1960s, the Asians in the 1970s and the West-Africans in the 1970s-1980s. DOS & DONTS ; ETIQUETTE IN FRANCE ; MANNERS ; EXPATS Useful tips on life in France Expats : DO adjust to France and the French! Table manners, a few tips if you are invited for dinner: don't come too early, don't eat too much of the first course, try everything and do not leave food on your plate, speak lightly (avoiding money and religion) and enjoy a discussion showing "culture générale", don't say "Bon appêtit" (it has become a little QUESTIONS ABOUT FRANCE AND THE FRENCH ; STRANGE FRENCH 1. Who is the employer of professors in public schools and universities ?. School boards ? The State; Cities and Regions ? 2. The % of Textile, Food, Wine, Water, Alcoholic Beverages, Perfumes and Beauty in the French exports to the USA is :. 18% FRENCH CULTURE ; BANDE DESSINÉE ; FRENCH CARTOONS ; COMIC A very popular media in France : comic strips represent more than 12 % of the publishing industry in France (8% in the US). In 2013, it represented almost 4,000 books and more than 37 million copies (40% Franco-Belgian, 40% Mangas, 10% American). A magazine called Pilote, launched in 1959 marks in France the begining of the popularization of

BD

FRENCH SONGS ; TRADITIONAL FRENCH SONGS ; WHERE TO FIND An excellent site is devoted to the history of French songs from 1870 to 1945, with large excerpts, lyrics and historical comments, many links to other sources. It includes the"50 best French songs", from Le temps des cerises to Les feuilles mortes. THE FRENCH AND AMERICANIZATION ; EXCEPTION CULTURELLE A reference for movie-lovers: A classical illustration is the movie "The Big Day" by Jacques Tati (Jour de Fete, 1949) which shows a French mailman trying to reconcile the way he works, chatting with everybody in a charming old village, and what he has seen of his American colleagues, where everything goes very fast.After hilarious attempts to imitate them, he goes back to his old habits RETIRING IN FRANCE ; RETIRE ; PRACTICAL LIFE ; PENSION The French retirement system. In France, the general rule is that you must retire at age 67 and you can retire from age 62, as long as you have worked 41 (now) then 42 years. According to a 2008-law, which was strongly opposed by the Left, you are now permitted to retire later (until age 70) , but only if you wish. INTERCULTURAL MANAGEMENT ; FRENCH WORK ETHICS ; WORKING Learn how to work with the French with Commisceo-Global . Communicaid is a global leader in the design and delivery of Intercultural Training Courses. More to come Bibliography: for a look at cultural differences in corporate life with the French :. Luigi BARZINI, The Europeans, Penguin, 1983 WHO'S WHO IN FRANCE ; PERSONNALITIES EVERYBODY KNOWS IN FRANCE Philippe Martinez (born 1961) is the head of the Confederation Generale du Travail (CGT), the most important worker’s union in France (but it represents only 2 to 3% of the workers, given the low level of unionization). Previously very close (and practically run by) the French Communist Party, this union is now more and more dominated by ultra-Left movements. FRENCH POLITICAL ISSUES ; POLITICAL ISSUES FOR OTHER In others, the Communist Party destroyed the Socialist Party (most Eastern European countries)and seized power. In France (like in Italy or Spain), both parties survived but the Socialist Party remained uncomfortable, with the feeling (fed by the Communists) of having betrayed the true values of Socialism. FRENCH SOCIETY ; POLITICS IN FRANCE ; THE RIGHT WING AND The losses represent 3,5% of the total population for WW1 (and 1,5% for WW2). Detailed figures show that WW1 killed proportionaly 58 times more in France than in the USA and WW2 killed 7,5 times more. For UK, the figures are between France and USA. The German occupation was also a trauma which is hard to imagine for Americans (see historical FRENCH SONGS ; TRADITIONAL FRENCH SONGS ; WHERE TO FIND An excellent site is devoted to the history of French songs from 1870 to 1945, with large excerpts, lyrics and historical comments, many links to other sources. It includes the"50 best French songs", from Le temps des cerises to Les feuilles mortes. FRENCH-BASHING ; FRENCH-HATERS There is no difference between openly mocking sexual orientation, racism and anti-French jokes. Bill O'Reilly does not like France and the French. That is his absolute right. He loves to express it on Fox News at any occasion. Richard Chesnoff hates everything in France and particularly the French. See examples . LEARNING ECONOMICS IN FRENCH HIGH SCHOOLS ; MAIN ISSUES OF Education is clearly a key issue for today's France. First principle : education is the base of a democratic and prosperous society --> challenged by the economic crisis. Second principle : education is the basis to form a French society in which everybody shares the same values --> challenged by immigration issues. FRENCH SOCIETY ; POLITICS IN FRANCE ; WOMEN IN POLITICS French Society ; politics in France ; women in politics ; the Right Wing and the Left Wing. In France, women were only given the vote in 1945. .A French law ( June 6, 2000) demands that in any political party, the proportion of women running for office is 50%. If it is below, the party is penalized and the grant it receives from the state

is

RETIRING IN FRANCE ; RETIRE ; PRACTICAL LIFE ; PENSION The French retirement system. In France, the general rule is that you must retire at age 67 and you can retire from age 62, as long as you have worked 41 (now) then 42 years. According to a 2008-law, which was strongly opposed by the Left, you are now permitted to retire later (until age 70) , but only if you wish. INTERCULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS More about America as seen by the French: A psychoanalytical view. Anti-French America.. Pascal Baudry is a Frenchman who lived in California where he ran an organization, WDHB, that holds seminars on international management.His cyberbook gives fascinating explanations of intercultural differences between the French and the Americans : BODY LANGUAGE ; ARE THE FRENCH RUDE ? ; LAURENCE WYLIE Are you crazy ? credits Laurence Wylie was professor of French Civilization at Harvard and the author of the classical "Village in the Vaucluse".He studied French body language and this is an example of it. Here are a few quotes from an interview he gave to a magazine (L'Express 1/8/1977) :

UNDERSTAND FRANCE

Many sites about France give you facts and information. This site does that too - with a plus. You'll get an insider's view of the Franco-American scene : working in Paris, tips about food, strange behavior of the French, what's new, etc. FRENCH ATTITUDES ; UNDERSTAND STRANGE BEHAVIORS ; THE The French are said to refuse change. At the same time, they always demand reforms and hope for (or fear) a major revolution.T he reason for this illogical attitude toward change is that each change may hurt one of the French sacred cows and it can be summarized in a few often-heard statements : « If I have to change, it means that I lost.»: the French do not believe in the possibility of MAJOR FRENCH ISSUES ; ECONOMY, IMMIGRATION, ISLAM Economic and social issues : What are the French good at? Some basic facts about recent immigration. France has always been a country of immigration.The most recent waves are the Poles and the Italians before WW2, the Spaniards and Portuguese in the 1950s-1960s, the North-Africans in the 1960s, the Asians in the 1970s and the West-Africans in the 1970s-1980s. DOS & DONTS ; ETIQUETTE IN FRANCE ; MANNERS ; EXPATS Useful tips on life in France Expats : DO adjust to France and the French! Table manners, a few tips if you are invited for dinner: don't come too early, don't eat too much of the first course, try everything and do not leave food on your plate, speak lightly (avoiding money and religion) and enjoy a discussion showing "culture générale", don't say "Bon appêtit" (it has become a little QUESTIONS ABOUT FRANCE AND THE FRENCH ; STRANGE FRENCH 1. Who is the employer of professors in public schools and universities ?. School boards ? The State; Cities and Regions ? 2. The % of Textile, Food, Wine, Water, Alcoholic Beverages, Perfumes and Beauty in the French exports to the USA is :. 18% FRENCH CULTURE ; BANDE DESSINÉE ; FRENCH CARTOONS ; COMIC A very popular media in France : comic strips represent more than 12 % of the publishing industry in France (8% in the US). In 2013, it represented almost 4,000 books and more than 37 million copies (40% Franco-Belgian, 40% Mangas, 10% American). A magazine called Pilote, launched in 1959 marks in France the begining of the popularization of

BD

FRENCH SONGS ; TRADITIONAL FRENCH SONGS ; WHERE TO FIND An excellent site is devoted to the history of French songs from 1870 to 1945, with large excerpts, lyrics and historical comments, many links to other sources. It includes the"50 best French songs", from Le temps des cerises to Les feuilles mortes. THE FRENCH AND AMERICANIZATION ; EXCEPTION CULTURELLE A reference for movie-lovers: A classical illustration is the movie "The Big Day" by Jacques Tati (Jour de Fete, 1949) which shows a French mailman trying to reconcile the way he works, chatting with everybody in a charming old village, and what he has seen of his American colleagues, where everything goes very fast.After hilarious attempts to imitate them, he goes back to his old habits RETIRING IN FRANCE ; RETIRE ; PRACTICAL LIFE ; PENSION The French retirement system. In France, the general rule is that you must retire at age 67 and you can retire from age 62, as long as you have worked 41 (now) then 42 years. According to a 2008-law, which was strongly opposed by the Left, you are now permitted to retire later (until age 70) , but only if you wish. INTERCULTURAL MANAGEMENT ; FRENCH WORK ETHICS ; WORKING Learn how to work with the French with Commisceo-Global . Communicaid is a global leader in the design and delivery of Intercultural Training Courses. More to come Bibliography: for a look at cultural differences in corporate life with the French :. Luigi BARZINI, The Europeans, Penguin, 1983

UNDERSTAND FRANCE

Many sites about France give you facts and information. This site does that too - with a plus. You'll get an insider's view of the Franco-American scene : working in Paris, tips about food, strange behavior of the French, what's new, etc. FRENCH ATTITUDES ; UNDERSTAND STRANGE BEHAVIORS ; THE The French are said to refuse change. At the same time, they always demand reforms and hope for (or fear) a major revolution.T he reason for this illogical attitude toward change is that each change may hurt one of the French sacred cows and it can be summarized in a few often-heard statements : « If I have to change, it means that I lost.»: the French do not believe in the possibility of MAJOR FRENCH ISSUES ; ECONOMY, IMMIGRATION, ISLAM Economic and social issues : What are the French good at? Some basic facts about recent immigration. France has always been a country of immigration.The most recent waves are the Poles and the Italians before WW2, the Spaniards and Portuguese in the 1950s-1960s, the North-Africans in the 1960s, the Asians in the 1970s and the West-Africans in the 1970s-1980s. DOS & DONTS ; ETIQUETTE IN FRANCE ; MANNERS ; EXPATS Useful tips on life in France Expats : DO adjust to France and the French! Table manners, a few tips if you are invited for dinner: don't come too early, don't eat too much of the first course, try everything and do not leave food on your plate, speak lightly (avoiding money and religion) and enjoy a discussion showing "culture générale", don't say "Bon appêtit" (it has become a little QUESTIONS ABOUT FRANCE AND THE FRENCH ; STRANGE FRENCH 1. Who is the employer of professors in public schools and universities ?. School boards ? The State; Cities and Regions ? 2. The % of Textile, Food, Wine, Water, Alcoholic Beverages, Perfumes and Beauty in the French exports to the USA is :. 18% FRENCH CULTURE ; BANDE DESSINÉE ; FRENCH CARTOONS ; COMIC A very popular media in France : comic strips represent more than 12 % of the publishing industry in France (8% in the US). In 2013, it represented almost 4,000 books and more than 37 million copies (40% Franco-Belgian, 40% Mangas, 10% American). A magazine called Pilote, launched in 1959 marks in France the begining of the popularization of

BD

FRENCH SONGS ; TRADITIONAL FRENCH SONGS ; WHERE TO FIND An excellent site is devoted to the history of French songs from 1870 to 1945, with large excerpts, lyrics and historical comments, many links to other sources. It includes the"50 best French songs", from Le temps des cerises to Les feuilles mortes. THE FRENCH AND AMERICANIZATION ; EXCEPTION CULTURELLE A reference for movie-lovers: A classical illustration is the movie "The Big Day" by Jacques Tati (Jour de Fete, 1949) which shows a French mailman trying to reconcile the way he works, chatting with everybody in a charming old village, and what he has seen of his American colleagues, where everything goes very fast.After hilarious attempts to imitate them, he goes back to his old habits RETIRING IN FRANCE ; RETIRE ; PRACTICAL LIFE ; PENSION The French retirement system. In France, the general rule is that you must retire at age 67 and you can retire from age 62, as long as you have worked 41 (now) then 42 years. According to a 2008-law, which was strongly opposed by the Left, you are now permitted to retire later (until age 70) , but only if you wish. INTERCULTURAL MANAGEMENT ; FRENCH WORK ETHICS ; WORKING Learn how to work with the French with Commisceo-Global . Communicaid is a global leader in the design and delivery of Intercultural Training Courses. More to come Bibliography: for a look at cultural differences in corporate life with the French :. Luigi BARZINI, The Europeans, Penguin, 1983 WHO'S WHO IN FRANCE ; PERSONNALITIES EVERYBODY KNOWS IN FRANCE Philippe Martinez (born 1961) is the head of the Confederation Generale du Travail (CGT), the most important worker’s union in France (but it represents only 2 to 3% of the workers, given the low level of unionization). Previously very close (and practically run by) the French Communist Party, this union is now more and more dominated by ultra-Left movements. FRENCH POLITICAL ISSUES ; POLITICAL ISSUES FOR OTHER In others, the Communist Party destroyed the Socialist Party (most Eastern European countries)and seized power. In France (like in Italy or Spain), both parties survived but the Socialist Party remained uncomfortable, with the feeling (fed by the Communists) of having betrayed the true values of Socialism. FRENCH SOCIETY ; POLITICS IN FRANCE ; THE RIGHT WING AND The losses represent 3,5% of the total population for WW1 (and 1,5% for WW2). Detailed figures show that WW1 killed proportionaly 58 times more in France than in the USA and WW2 killed 7,5 times more. For UK, the figures are between France and USA. The German occupation was also a trauma which is hard to imagine for Americans (see historical FRENCH SONGS ; TRADITIONAL FRENCH SONGS ; WHERE TO FIND An excellent site is devoted to the history of French songs from 1870 to 1945, with large excerpts, lyrics and historical comments, many links to other sources. It includes the"50 best French songs", from Le temps des cerises to Les feuilles mortes. FRENCH-BASHING ; FRENCH-HATERS There is no difference between openly mocking sexual orientation, racism and anti-French jokes. Bill O'Reilly does not like France and the French. That is his absolute right. He loves to express it on Fox News at any occasion. Richard Chesnoff hates everything in France and particularly the French. See examples . LEARNING ECONOMICS IN FRENCH HIGH SCHOOLS ; MAIN ISSUES OF Education is clearly a key issue for today's France. First principle : education is the base of a democratic and prosperous society --> challenged by the economic crisis. Second principle : education is the basis to form a French society in which everybody shares the same values --> challenged by immigration issues. FRENCH SOCIETY ; POLITICS IN FRANCE ; WOMEN IN POLITICS French Society ; politics in France ; women in politics ; the Right Wing and the Left Wing. In France, women were only given the vote in 1945. .A French law ( June 6, 2000) demands that in any political party, the proportion of women running for office is 50%. If it is below, the party is penalized and the grant it receives from the state

is

RETIRING IN FRANCE ; RETIRE ; PRACTICAL LIFE ; PENSION The French retirement system. In France, the general rule is that you must retire at age 67 and you can retire from age 62, as long as you have worked 41 (now) then 42 years. According to a 2008-law, which was strongly opposed by the Left, you are now permitted to retire later (until age 70) , but only if you wish. INTERCULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS More about America as seen by the French: A psychoanalytical view. Anti-French America.. Pascal Baudry is a Frenchman who lived in California where he ran an organization, WDHB, that holds seminars on international management.His cyberbook gives fascinating explanations of intercultural differences between the French and the Americans : BODY LANGUAGE ; ARE THE FRENCH RUDE ? ; LAURENCE WYLIE Are you crazy ? credits Laurence Wylie was professor of French Civilization at Harvard and the author of the classical "Village in the Vaucluse".He studied French body language and this is an example of it. Here are a few quotes from an interview he gave to a magazine (L'Express 1/8/1977) : BETTER UNDERSTAND FRANCE & THE FRENCH

FRANCE AND PARIS...

TOURING: PLACES TO STAY , WHAT'S NEW , travel TIPS

, trips OUTSIDE

Paris

DISCOVERING: the AMERICAN COMMUNITY

, PRACTICAL TIPS

on life in Paris, UNKNOWN PARIS LOVE: the French WOMAN , LOVE

in Paris

JOB: WORKING in Paris, DOING BUSINESS in France, WORKING WITH

THE FRENCH

HEALTH: SICK in Paris, the FRENCH

HEALTH SYSTEM

TODAY : WHAT'S NEW IN FRANCE this month,

current ISSUES

REFERENCES : BIBLIOGRAPHY , the LANGUAGE UNDERSTANDING THE FRENCH... INTERCULTURAL: INTERCULTURAL DIFFERENCES

, DOS&DONTS ,

French ATTITUDES _, _QUESTIONS about the French, EUROPE FRANCE-US: ANTI-AMERICANISM , Franco -

American RELATIONS

FRANCE: French HISTORY , SOCIETY

, CULTURE ,

EDUCATION , RELIGION

, MOVIES

, LITERATURE

, SONGS

UNDERSTANDING:A FRENCH QUIZ , an INSULARITY TEST, IRKSOME FRANCE

, FIFTY QUESTIONS

on France, WHO'S WHO FOOD: RECIPES , TIPS

on food, WINE ,

CHEESE

Table of contents / KEYWORDS F.A.Q. and visitors' LETTERS

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_Many sites about France give you facts and information. This site does that too - with a plus. You'll get an insider's view of the Franco-American scene : working in Paris, tips about food, strange behavior of the French, what's new, etc. All these and much more from a Franco-American couple in Paris. Welcome!_ _A longtime American writer in Paris, Harriet Welty Rochefort is the author of three books about the French. Visit her site ,see the EVENTS she organizes (Wine & Cheese Tastings , visit of the _Pere Lachaise cemetery), invite her to

give a talk !

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AUG. 1, 2019

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