Comments on: 10 Differences Between French and American Work Cultures

By: Charli

Charli — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 08:47:40 +0000

In reply to Kathleen. I'm referring to the mindset in France. Different in America where there are fewer worker protections of course.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 13:12:12 +0000

I respectfully disagree with the statement “ If you have to put in extra hours, that doesn’t make you a harder worker, it means you aren’t able to get your work done as fast as you should.”
Some companies out there (such as CVS) severely reduce technician hours for profit while overburdening the pharmacist to a dangerous degree. Their budgeting system is disconnected from reality. So those pharmacists aren’t inefficient; the austere corporate regime has rigged the scenario. Extra hours mean we work hard for our patients’ safety.

By: Michel

Michel — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 23:33:29 +0000

Great article! I am French and have worked decades in the UK, Australia and New Zealand and have experienced similar levels of differences between the work cultures in these countries, and France.

In particular, the sugar-coating of criticism is hard to adjust to. I have Dutch and German colleagues who feel the same as me, so there is a marked difference between the “anglosaxons” and the “mainland Europeans” here. I don’t dare criticize a colleague’s work, even if I just meant to offer constructive feedback so they can improve their output. I almost have to treat them like kids ” this is a great effort, well done, really enjoyed it.. I would just change this a little bit, and maybe that too, oh and this could be rephrased like that,…..”. Gosh, you have to walk on eggshells! It’s terrible. By the same token, I never know straight away whether whatever I have produced is really good or not, because no one will tell me.

I have also found that for many corporate workers, presenteism is more important than productivity. So yes someone will spend 60 hours a week at work, but they will produce a lot less than someone productive who just does their 40 hours.

By: François

François — Fri, 31 May 2019 19:34:38 +0000

In reply to Charli. Yes, but with our parents financial help.

By: James

James — Fri, 31 May 2019 19:30:10 +0000

In reply to Barbara Rost. I agree, I am working here in France and lots of my colleagues complain a lot of their work, it is like they want to be paid without working. They also argue often even in front of customers. As Charli said, they like debates. But I think it is too much. Même si les petits choses. They like to notice others' works without noticing their work and always someone else fault.

By: Francy Pants

Francy Pants — Tue, 19 Mar 2019 17:06:22 +0000

In reply to Kristen. If you're going to spend a significant time in France, or just visiting and want to understand the French culture, a MUST READ is 'The Bonjour Effect' mentioned in one of Charli's blogs. You will be glad you did.

By: Charli

Charli — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 12:56:48 +0000

In reply to Pierre. Wow I didn't know that! Interesting...thanks for sharing Pierre.

By: Pierre

Pierre — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 12:17:44 +0000

It’s forbiden in France to eat at your desk for health and satety reasons (hygiene). This law is barely used for office employees but ti’s the same as for a person working with macheneries

By: Barbara Rost

Barbara Rost — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 16:03:09 +0000

I think that many French people are spoiled kids, as such they do. It have a good work ethic. This may be a generalization but rings true in my experience. Some f them expect to be handed money from family members rather than doing a job they need but don’t want.

By: Miriam G

Miriam G — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 18:28:15 +0000

why america FAILED by Morris Berman may help usa-ers stuck in the hustling, huckstering rat race to nowhere.