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Feb 02

200 Views on Culture and Communication Skills Training

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

Thanks to all of you who have been following our last 200 blog articles where we have explored different subjects in the world of culture and communication skills training.

As we continue to post new articles on a regular basis, we invite you to comment on these subjects and share your thoughts and experience around how these areas may impact you or your colleagues and clients.

If you’ve just discovered this blog, have a look at some of the following articles we’ve published that have proven popular:

Whether you are a training professional, international manager or member of a global organisation, we hope that you continue to find the Communicaid blog an invaluable tool to navigating this fascinating field!

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Nov 24

Thanksgiving Day

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture No Comments »

Can you already smell roasted turkey with stuffing and pumpkin pie? Can you hear the noise of football matches? Yes, you’re right, it’s Thanksgiving. Every year on the fourth Thursday of November Americans gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving. This tradition has been rooted in American culture for centuries, so if you are living and working in the USA or planning to do so, you should be aware of its importance and the impact it has on life and business in the USA.

Thanksgiving Christmas Dinner Sean Locke i Thanksgiving Day

© istockphoto.com/Sean Locke

Where does Thanksgiving come from?

What is considered as the first Thanksgiving in American history took place in 1621 in Plymouth plantations, where Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared a successful harvest feast. This was held to celebrate God and thank him for having guided the colonists safely to the New World. The celebration was then observed first as a religious tradition and, later, as a civil one. During the Civil War in 1863 Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday to be celebrated each November.

How is Thanksgiving celebrated?

Thanksgiving has now lost its original religious meaning for most American families. The focus of the celebration is now on spending quality time together and sharing a good meal. So what are the key ingredients of a good Thanksgiving meal? Turkey is the centrepiece of Thanksgiving and has become the main symbol of the holiday. It was probably not included in the first meal the Pilgrims shared with the Indians, but what is sure is that around 90% of Americans eat it on Thanksgiving. Either roasted, fried or baked, the turkey is usually accompanied by stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. In addition to cooking and eating which takes a large portion of the day, Americans like to gather together to watch football, participate in parades or volunteer. Many Americans will start their Christmas shopping on the day after Thanksgiving which is often referred to as Black Friday.

Thanksgiving Tips

If you are living and working in the USA, make sure you participate in Thanksgiving celebrations and make the most of this experience. Giving the right importance to this event is central for you to integrate into American society, build friendships and make the most of your stay. Here are some tips on how to do that:

  • Do not expect your American colleagues on Thanksgiving Day. Remember: it is a national holiday and offices are kept closed all day
  • Thank your colleagues for their hard work, collaboration or companionship with a Thanksgiving card or a simple note on the day
  • If you are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, accept with enthusiasm any food your guests offer to bring
  • If you are invited to dinner bring a gift and write a thank you note
  • Show an interest in American football games as these are often a big part of Thanksgiving celebrations
  • If invited to someone’s home, offer to help with the preparations. Thanksgiving is a family affair and almost everyone plays a role in getting it all ready, even guests

If you are planning to move to the USA or work with American counterparts you might want to improve your knowledge about American culture by attending a cultural awareness training programme like Living and Working in the USA. It will teach you more about American customs, traditions and values and help you develop the skills to build better relationships with your American colleagues.

Happy Thanksgiving!

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Dec 13

Hiring Overseas: Can Cultural Awareness Training Help HR Professionals Manage the Economic Crisis?

Cross Cultural Training, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector 1 Comment »

The ongoing economic crisis in the US and Europe has created a strong need for HR professionals to rethink their recruitment strategies. While many companies are reducing the number of people they hire in the UK and the US, experts predict a dramatic increase in recruitment over the next six months in countries like China, Taiwan, India and Brazil. With this in mind, Western companies can benefit immensely from hiring overseas until Europe and the US find their way back into a safer economic foothold.

Globe Kasia i Hiring Overseas: Can Cultural Awareness Training Help HR Professionals Manage the Economic Crisis?

© istockphoto.com/ Kasia

Recruiting people from different cultural backgrounds is not always easy and there are many things HR professionals and managers need to consider to ensure that the people recruited have the right skills and knowledge for an international role. Taking part in a cultural awareness training course will help HR professionals and senior management to successfully recruit talent from different cultural backgrounds.

A recent report by the Society for Human Resource Management suggests that a global mindset and cross-cultural intelligence are the two most important competencies that senior HR professionals should have when working across cultures. An increasing number of multinational organisations are recognising the need for global skills like these but efforts to develop the cultural competencies of HR professionals need to intensify to effectively harness the benefits of global talent before other companies beat them to it.

Culture is a very complex construct and anyone involved in hiring talent from other cultures needs to have a good understanding of how it can influence key recruitment practices such as interviews, assessments and applications. Understanding that a person’s cultural background determines not only which language they speak or what holidays they celebrate, but virtually every aspect of social and professional life is essential.

When hiring new employees from diverse cultural backgrounds, different behaviours and attitudes can create confusion, misunderstandings and false perceptions. For instance, job interviews conducted by a German company in China may not result in hiring the best candidates as a result of the large cultural distance between the two countries. The following are some key areas where the interview may fail as a result of a lack of cultural awareness and cross cultural difference.

  • Directness and openness are highly valued in German culture so German interviewers tend to ask explicit questions around the professional background of applicants. Chinese culture places importance on preserving harmony and implicit communication so being asked direct questions may make Chinese applicants feel uncomfortable and unable to respond appropriately.

  • The Chinese key value of Keqi, or modesty, can also easily create confusion for German interviewers. Trying to make a good impression, Chinese interviewees will often try to avoid standing out and behave in a very modest, polite and thoughtful way during the interview. Not familiar with the concept of Keqi, the German interviewer could think the Chinese applicants lack confidence and knowledge and therefore may not consider them for the job.

  • Different non-verbal communication styles might also cause misunderstandings. For instance, eye contact is used very differently in German and Chinese cultures. In China people will tend to avoid making direct eye contact with those in a more senior role and therefore may avoid looking directly at interviewers. In Germany eye contact shows confidence and honesty and can create trust between two people. This simple cultural difference can result in a failure to hire competent candidates because of the perception the German interviewer may have had about their confidence level and interpersonal skills.

    • HR professionals conducting or organising interviews with candidates from different cultural backgrounds can benefit immensely from taking part in a cultural awareness training course. Cultural awareness training for HR can prevent misunderstandings and incorrect negative perceptions of candidates that result in failing to hiring competent candidates.

    HR professionals can learn about the cultural characteristics of the country they are recruiting in and develop a better understanding of the potential problems that multicultural workplaces might face on a cultural awareness training course. By developing their cross cultural intelligence and global mindset on a cultural awareness training course, HR professionals can ensure that the interviewees and interviewers feel comfortable during the interview, ask and respond to questions appropriately and make the right impression.

    © Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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    Nov 16

    Doing Business in India – the Impact of Durga Puja

    Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

    Durga Puja, a Hindu celebration in honour of the goddess Durga, is one of the most important socio-cultural events for Hindus and must be understood by anyone doing business in India. This five day annual holiday is celebrated in many Indian States such as West-Bengal, Assam and Delhi as well as in countries like Nepal and Bangladesh. Hindu cultural organisations in the UK, the US and many other countries also hold Durgas.

    Indian palace holgs i Doing Business in India – the Impact of Durga Puja

    © istockphoto.com/ Holgs

    According to the Hindu solar calendar, Durga Puja takes place on the first nine days of the months of Ashwin which this year was in the month of October. At the beginning of celebrations people will offer thanks to their ancestors and pray. The traditional puja rituals of praising the goddess Durga are very complicated and require an expert priest. For this reason, many Hindu families no longer celebrate Durga Puja the traditional way. In modern society Durga Puja is more of a community festival. Many people gather with their friends, enjoy a large meal with the neighbours or go shopping.

    Although worshipping the goddess Durga is the main idea of Durga Puja, its celebration varies greatly from one location to the next. In Maharashtra, a state in West India, teenage girls are often introduced into society during this celebration. The girls dance, sing and draw an elephant in the ancient Indian art form of rangoli. In the south western Indian state of Kerala, Durga Puja marks the beginning of school education for every child between three and five.

    With such a large number of people celebrating Durga Puja, it has a big impact on both India’s and Bangladeshi’s economy. According to Subrata Chowdhurry, president of the Bangladesh Puja committee, more than TK 200 crore (equivalent to approximately £180, 000) is used during the festival in Bangladesh. Most of the money comes from members’ subscription fees and donations.

    Entertainment companies in India as well as organisations in the lighting and decoration business seize the opportunity and often see more than 30% growth in total turnover compared to other times. Many books and films are also released during this time, similar to Christmas in the west, making it highly profitable business opportunity for many film and media companies.

    When doing business in India during Durga Puja celebrations, it’s important to show an awareness of the traditions and importance of this festival in the life of many Hindus. Although fewer families practise the fairly complicated rituals, you will find that your Hindu business counterparts will still fast and pray during Durga Puja so be aware of this when planning business meetings or projects in India. Most businesses remain open, but you may find that working hours and employee attendance may vary from state to state.

    A cultural awareness training course will help you to understand this aspect of Indian culture and increase your effectiveness when doing business in India. To understand other festivals and how they impact Indian business culture, behaviours and values, it’s important to spend time with an Indian expert who can give you the knowledge you need. Participating in a Doing Business in India cross cultural awareness training course will provide you with information about Indian culture that will help you build more successful business relationships when doing business in India.

    © Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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    Nov 11

    Ensuring your Expats’ Success in a Cross Cultural Context

    Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources No Comments »

    A recent article in the Financial Times sums up some of the many challenges that can arise for expatriates going to a foreign country for a long or short term expatriation. From culture shock to homesickness and psychological distress, being an expatriate can become an ordeal and according to forensic psychologist Dr Hamden, expatriation is just not for everyone. But for those who can cope with the cross cultural challenges, an expatriation can become an enriching experience, bringing an invaluable global mindset.

    Team cercle Rafal Zdeb i2 Ensuring your Expats’ Success in a Cross Cultural Context

    © istockphoto.com/ Rafal Zdeb

    The article takes the example of Michelle Brown, a PR executive sent by her organisation to Hong Kong in 2000. While she was looking forward to her expatriation, she certainly did not expect the great number of challenges she was going to face such as weather, food and culture shock. But the greatest difficulty she faced was probably how the locals behaved regarding the colour of her skin.

    A young black woman, Michelle attracted a lot of curiosity from locals, especially as it was a place overwhelmingly inhabited by Chinese and white expatriates. Despite their behaviour, she coped admirably and even decided to live in a ‘normal’ part of Hong Kong instead of settling in an expat neighbourhood. She managed to adapt to her new environment, made friends and now has wonderful memories of her expatriation there.

    Unlike Michelle Brown, many expatriates just can’t cope with the challenges of their new cultural environment. There are many reasons for a failed expatriation but some of the most popular ones include:

    • Difficulty adapting to a new culture
    • Impact of culture shock
    • Lack of social or professional activity (especially for trailing partners)
    • Homesickness

    Expatriates need to consider all of these and others before going on an expatriation. According to the Financial Times, 6% of expatriation processes failed in 2010. Half of these failures are due to the inability of expatriates to adapt to their host culture. The result is a huge loss of money and time for international organisations which could have been avoided with the right cultural support and measures in place for expatriates.

    There have been several solutions over the last century that continue to help expatriates and improve their international experience. Some of these include:

    • Increased use of virtual communication and improved technology that helps them maintain a social link with their family and friends while on expatriation
    • Increased ability to travel by plane allowing them to spend more face-to-face time at home with family and friends as well as colleagues
    • Psychological support and the wider use of cross cultural training courses to help them to cope with the challenges of expatriation

    According to the Financial Times, 83% of international organisations declared that cross cultural training courses are a great way to ensure the success of an expatriation.

    International companies increasingly recognise the importance of culture in the expatriation process. They now have available new tools such as The International Profiler which helps them review competencies expatriates may need to develop to be successful in the target country. They also have access to a plethora of intercultural training courses such as Living and Working in Hong Kong or Living and Working in India which provide future expatriates with a comprehensive understanding of their own and host cultures. Providing cross cultural awareness training and follow-up support to expatriates will help them to settle more easily and thrive in a new cultural context.

    Ensuring the happiness of your expatriates is essential as it will help them to maintain a high level of performance in their new position abroad and reduce the chances of an early return which can be costly and time consuming. Providing expatriates with the cross cultural training courses and support they need will help guarantee an excellent return on investment for the organisation and a happy life changing experience for the expatriate and their family.

    © Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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    Oct 25

    Chilean Miners – How their Cultural Values Helped them to Overcome their Ordeal

    Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

    Last Wednesday, the world witnessed the spectacular rescue of the 33 Chilean miners who had been trapped in a collapsed mine under the Atacama Desert. Although they were trapped for 69 days, most of the miners were in better health than expected. Psychologists were also surprised at how well they had coped with the situation mentally. People all over the world began to ask themselves the same question: how did they manage to survive?

    Chile ferhat mat i Chilean Miners – How their Cultural Values Helped them to Overcome their Ordeal

    © istockphoto.com/ Ferhat Mat

     

    There is strong evidence that their cultural identity played an important role. One of Chile’s cultural characteristics is patriotism. Chileans tend to be very proud of their country and its achievements. When the miners were rescued, 33 balloons in the Chilean colours were released into the sky. The shift supervisor, Luis Urzúa was wrapped in a Chilean flag after he was brought up. He then led the crowd to sing the national anthem. No doubt their love for their country helped the miners to keep their spirits up.

    Another Chilean core value is the focus on the group rather than on the individual. President Pinera said that the unity and the solidarity of the Chileans made him very proud. He added that Chile is now more unified than ever before. The entire country took part in the miners’ tragedy and supported the families who waited desperately for the rescue of their relatives. Perhaps surprisingly, there were no riots in the mine or individual attempts to separate from the group or take charge. The miners managed to stay together as a group. The collectivist approach was also highlighted by the miners’ families’ attitude towards future financial benefit from their ordeal. Before the miners’ rescue, the families drew up a contract agreeing to share the money expected from various media deals.

    The president also claimed that the miners never lost hope because they had a “great leader” who held the group together. The shift supervisor, Luis Urzúa, assumed this role and made sure the miners had a daily routine. Three groups of 11 each worked eight hour shifts of cleaning, measuring oxygen level and reinforcing mine walls. This behaviour reveals another key value in Chilean culture, the emphasis on hierarchy and status. Whereas hierarchy is often perceived as negative in the Western world, it plays an important role in Chilean society. In this case, hierarchy and structure helped the miners to prepare for rescue.

    Bearing in mind how the Chilean culture influenced the miners’ behaviour, an interesting question to ask is how other cultures would have reacted in such a situation. Can you imagine what behaviour would have been typical for your culture? If you want to find out more about how different cultures determine our behaviour, consider one of Communicaid’s cross cultural awareness training courses. You will not only learn more about your own cultural identity but also develop strategies to communicate effectively across cultures.

    © Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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    Sep 17

    Cultural Awareness Training: Ensuring a Successful Cultural Adaptation

    Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

    An international assignment is always a challenge from both a professional and personal perspective as coping with the differences within the workplace and the personal environment can be difficult.

    Statistics show that failed international assignments are mainly related to a lack of adaptation either from the expatriate or his/her family. A failed expatriation can have severe consequences for an organisation and result in a significant loss of money as expatriates can be expensive.

    Globe Kasia i Cultural Awareness Training: Ensuring a Successful Cultural Adaptation

    © istockphoto.com/ Kasia

     

    Studies suggest that a failed international assignment can cost between$100,000 and $300,000. Failed business or project objectives also indirectly harm the brand image and limit the future business perspectives of the company. Finally, the damage on the expatriates’ morale and performance can also be disastrous, depression and a long lasting loss of confidence can affect them even after they return.

    Working habits are one of the main problems encountered by expatriates as they can be fairly different from one country to another. The way people deal with risk, hierarchy, time and decision making processes are different and these differences can hinder an expatriate’s performance. Expatriate cultural programs can increase the understanding of the impact of these differences which will help them to adapt more easily to his/her new environment. Cultural awareness training will also provide expatriates with key insights and practical information about business and social practices in the country.

    It is also crucial to assess and understand the expatriates’ main concerns in order to help them to succeed. According to the HSBC Expats Survey results, expatriates are mainly preoccupied with their ability to make friends abroad, socialise and adapt to the local community. They are also concerned about ensuring their partner and family have an enjoyable experience.

    All of these challenges can be difficult to overcome without the appropriate and relevant cultural awareness training. Deciphering Chinese or Indian social and business practices and customs is almost impossible without the proper guidance. During an expatriate cultural program, delegates can also benefit from the experience of their trainer who will share anecdotes and first hand testimonies that can help expatriates to foresee what await them in their host culture. Cultural awareness training also helps to break down myths and stereotypes which sometimes lead to false assumptions and cultural insensitivity.

    Providing expatriate cultural programs such as Living and Working in India or Living and Working in China can help future expatriates to adapt quickly to their new environment and reduce the risks of failure. The relevant and appropriate strategies and tools they will receive on expatriate cultural program will give them the confidence they need to work effectively in another culture and cope with the specific challenges of their expatriation.

    © Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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    May 10

    Challenges of Doing Business in Italy

    Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

    Modern Italy as we know it is a relatively new country. For centuries it was divided into small city-states and was only unified in the late 1800s before it had to relinquish territories following the events of the Second World War. While Italian is the official national language and the vast majority of the population is Catholic, to this day Italy has remarkable cultural differences throughout its whole territory.

    Italy is divided into twenty regions, each of which has unique traditions, customs and often a number of dialects, with a different one usually spoken in each major city. Some regions have acquired ‘special status’ granting them independence from the central government both in financial and political matters.

    The result is an extremely diverse geo-economic landscape. An organisation doing business in Italy will find differences amongst regions in infrastructure, sectors, and even employment laws. The difference between north and south can be particularly striking to a visitor. The north is highly developed thanks to the presence of heavy industry and private companies, while the south’s economy is welfare-dependant, mainly agricultural and sees high levels of unemployment.

     

    Coliseum Hedda Gjerpen i Challenges of Doing Business in Italy

    © istockphoto.com/ROMAOSLO

     

    Undertaking a cross-cultural awareness training course such as Communicaid’s Doing Business in Italy programme will increase your organisation’s awareness and understanding of the country’s diversity and its inhabitants’ cultural influences. Intercultural training will help your organisation to operate more effectively in Italy while it will also provide your employees with the cultural knowledge and skills to navigate the cultural differences they are likely to face both in business and everyday practices.

    The following are some key differences which might pose challenges for anyone doing business in Italy.

    Affective Communication – An important aspect of Italian culture is openly expressing thoughts and feelings. Emotions tend to flow easily in this culture with lots of hand gestures and close personal contact. As a result, Italians are often guided by their feelings and establishing solid relationships based on trust are vital for successful business negotiations in Italy.

    ‘Bella Figura’ – The term ‘Bella Figura’, a key element in Italian business culture, is often used to describe the ability to present oneself well and behave with formality. In some areas of Italy, particularly the south, maintaining ‘Bella Figura’ is believed to enhance beauty and peace in the world. In Italian culture, appearances and opinions of others are considered extremely important. It is therefore vital when doing business in Italy to ensure that all presentations and business materials are aesthetically pleasing to your Italian counterparts. Furthermore, great detail is paid to the way one dresses so it’s important to consider your clothing carefully before doing business in Italy.

    Individualism – While Italian culture has been described as highly individualistic, its not like the form of individualism that can be found in countries like the US, Australia or Sweden. In Italy it signifies a society that emphasises individual responsibility towards family and close friends, relying on a strong network of connections and close family ties. This means that Italians will tend to take care of themselves and their immediate family first. Across Italy you will find many Italian businesses owned by individuals and families. In a business context, individualism influences an Italian’s preference to do business with people they are already familiar with, and rely heavily on direct personal contact, often through mutual friends or acquaintances, to explore new business opportunities.

    ‘La Cordata’ (Chain of Command) – This concept tends to mean that only the most senior people in a company will make decisions, sometimes leaving those at a lower level with their hands tied. Non-Italian organisations may encounter a great deal of inflexibility when trying to reach a decision and get things done when doing business in Italy.

    Thriving, modern and vibrant, Italy is a country with many faces. Romans and Etruscans made it their home, a base from which to conquer and unify Europe and the World. The remains of these ancient civilisations still pave the roads of Italian cities, yet the country today is a jigsaw of cultures and traditions, both ancient and new.

    Organisations must be aware of this and the resulting cultural differences and challenges of doing business in Italy. Providing employees cultural awareness training like Communicaid’s Living and Working in Italy programme will give your organisation an essential head start and the competitive edge you need to be successful in the Italian business world.

    © Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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    May 07

    Cinco de Mayo – A Celebration of Mexican Culture

    Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture No Comments »

    Cinco de Mayo celebrations are becoming increasingly popular in the United States, joining St. Patrick’s Day, Oktoberfest and Chinese New Year as a celebration of one of the many cultures that has contributed to America’s diverse national character. While many people of Mexican origin or descent celebrate Cinco de Mayo, many other Americans celebrate alongside them.

    Cities throughout the US have Cinco de Mayo parades and concerts, with celebrations that include Mexican national dress and traditional Mexican food, drink and music. The festival is celebrated in Mexico to an extent, but not as widely as it is in the States.

     

    Mexican Carpets ivanastar i Cinco de Mayo – A Celebration of Mexican Culture

    © istockphoto.com/ Ivanastar

     

     
    The celebration of Cinco de Mayo originates with a battle that took place on 5 May 1862, when an army of around 4,500 poorly-armed Mexicans overcame an invading French army of 6,500 men. The Mexican economy was in tatters, following a war with America and a civil war, and Mexico had been forced to take out loans from other countries, including France, Spain and England.

    Mexico had begun to default on the loan repayments and France decided to use this as a pretext for extending its own imperial ambitions. The French invaded Mexico near Veracruz, with the intention of installing Archduke Maximilian of Austria, a relative of Napoleon’s, as ruler.

    The French army marched towards Mexico City but was met with strong resistance as they passed through Puebla. It was here that the Mexican militia, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin, defeated the French, putting an end to the invasion. This was a famous victory and created a strong sense of national unity, which was sorely needed after the civil war that had taken place only four years beforehand.

    Unfortunately, the French army returned a year later, this time bringing thirty thousand men, and was successful in installing Maximilian as ruler.

    While modern celebrations focus less on the details of the actual battle, Cinco de Mayo fiestas still have the power to bring people together to celebrate the Mexican culture. Most of Mexico’s celebrations focus on the state of Puebla, where the battle took place, while celebrations in the US often take place in areas with a history of Mexican incomers. These communities make an effort to remember their culture with pride and to maintain a sense of community and unity amongst themselves.

    Understanding cultural practices like these can greatly increase the success and enjoyment of an employee’s move to a different culture. Communicaid’s cultural awareness training courses such as Living and Working in the US or Living and Working in Mexico can be invaluable in enhancing this intercultural understanding and experience.

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    May 04

    Living in France – A Mix of Cultural Pleasures and Challenges

    Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

    A recent article published by CNN presented France as the best place to live worldwide. Its ‘joie de vivre’ and amazing cultural heritage seem to be acknowledged by everyone. But if this sounds like a good reason to try out the French way of life, it can however bring its own set of challenges. Like every country, France has its cultural particularities that need to be understood to ensure the best possible experience of living and working in France.

    France is among the most diverse countries in the world in terms of landscape and environment. From high mountains to sea shores, preserved forests and cultivated farm lands combined with an extensive cultural heritage, you will have a lot to discover when living in France.

     

    French Cheese Andreas Arnold i Living in France – A Mix of Cultural Pleasures and Challenges

    © istockphoto.com/ Andreas Arnold

     

    Living in France can bring many unique and different experiences depending on where you are based in the country. There are huge differences between the north and the south of France, not only in the climate and geography but also in the cultural values and attitudes you will find people have who live in each part. For example, in the north of France, people tend to be more task oriented, have a fairly neutral communication style and can be quite monochronic. Conversely in the south, French will tend to have a more affective communication style and a more flexible approach to time than their fellow citizens in the north.

    In addition to the north and south divide, there are also many key differences between the cities. France is a heavily centralised country and Paris is the place where key political, economic and cultural events take place. The pace, population, lifestyle and even the wages differ from the other French major cities. Living in Marseille, Lille or Nantes, for example, you will have an entirely different experience.

    Wherever you are living in France, you will probably find a set of key cultural values, traditions and customs that influence most aspects of French culture. One of these key values cherished by the French population is the concept that the French are the best. To put it simply, French often give the impression that if it is not French, it is considered of lesser quality or even completely irrelevant. This attitude can be difficult for foreigners who just arrived in France to understand or accept and can often be interpreted negatively as excessive arrogance or cockiness.

    That being said, this attitude of national pride is what drove the French to create some of the most famous brands and products in the world. This constant search of having the best living standards is probably one the most enjoyable parts of being an expatriate living in France. Fine brews and of course the famous French cuisine are the best examples of this.

    No matter where you live in France, it’s important to understand what communication styles, cultural values and attitudes to expect. Cultural Awareness Training France programmes like Communicaid’s Living and Working in France can help you anticipate any major cross cultural challenges and increase your understanding of life in France to ensure you have a smooth expatriation.

     © Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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