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Au Contraire: Figuring out the French
When Coca-Cola entered the French market with a hard-core bottom-line management style, they were met with boycotts in cafes and supermarkets. At the launch of Euro Disney in Paris, Mickey Mouse was greeted by angry protestors hurling tomatoes and eggs. As a culture, the French are fiercely independent yet romantic, conservative yet avant-garde, rational yet emotional.Written for anyone interested in or interacting with the French, Au Contraire!: Figuring Out the French unearths the often-invisible cultural forces that govern behavior. Gilles Asselin and Ruth Mastron draw upon their own experiences as consultants and trainers, as well as that of expatriate students and professionals, to offer the best and most useful analysis and advice on French-American intercultural relations. Going beyond the obvious, this bilingual and bicultural author team explores what lies behind what we the assumptions, attitudes, patterns of thought and beliefs that make the French so.French.In a global world filled with multinational mergers and international partnerships, Au Contraire! provides context and perspective on what happens when Americans and the French come together at work, at home, and in any social setting, touching on issues like education, play, friendship, romance and politics. They highlight the dynamics of working and managing across the French and American cultural divide with an in-depth case study of how pharmaceutical giant Rhone-Poulenc Rorer overcame challenges by fostering cross-cultural teamwork. With a quick and useful guide to social etiquette and professional guidelines for managers working in the United States and in France, Au Contraire! provides critical tools to develop creative and appropriate responses to any situation, based on a deep understanding of the unique dynamics of these two cultures.
308 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 25, 2016
A curious read, mostly written for expats working in an international company. A good look not only at the French culture, but also at the American culture through the prism of French values. It's what I always liked about anthropology and works close to it: by discovering different ways of seeing the world, you quickly discover that you also think of the world in particular ways based on your culture and, ultimately, might even start to question it.
A really good read for anyone who wants to understand and adapt to the French way of life. I'd read it if I were moving to France.
A really good read for anyone who wants to understand and adapt to the French way of life. I'd read it if I were moving to France.
December 29, 2021
What a brilliant, unique book! Learning about the French culture with etymological references was great fun. I learned so much about the differences between France and America, some of which can easily apply to Wallonia and Flanders in Belgium. Especially those regarding business context with underlying reasons for the different attitudes towards work were very eye-opening and useful. Lastly, the book even made me think of my own culture and the inevitable traces that we might have picked up via the French and the American influences. I would easily say all of the captured details in the book and highlighted nuances are really helpful in understanding the mindset and values of both cultures.
December 13, 2020
This book was a great help to me as an American visiting Paris for the first time. It made me mindful of being respectful as a foreigner and I was treated well because of it. It was fascinating to see the change in the people of Paris from day to night, or from work time to play time. They are so passionate about being with their friends. Amazing. Anyway, the book was a great help in navigating the people on my little trip. It was easy and fun and informative.
May 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this read. My French and American friends loved hearing my book quotes during our quarantine FaceTime sessions. Having moved to Montreal from Hamburg many years ago, I wish there was a German Canadian equivalent.
October 17, 2021
A very insightful and delightful read!
February 24, 2024
Political ideas (Seeing like a State, Scott) of unified France, rigid state control of education and effect on culture...
February 27, 2017
Interesting perspective on the differences between French and American culture. This book is intended for potential expats in managerial positions and goes into a lot of detail about business management practices in intercultural situations. It encourages individuals to shed one's preexisting world views and be receptive to other ways of thinking. Doing so, the authors emphasize, does not necessitate assimilation but rather understanding and collaboration. As a Chinese-American spending my second year in France, a lot of the differences mentioned in the book, especially with regards to gender relationships and workplace hierarchy, are things I've noticed but have never treated as barriers causing potential misunderstandings. Therefore, although I find this book way too focused on business and politics for my liking, I nevertheless appreciate it for bringing latent issues to the open.
June 9, 2012
I know this is supposed to be a book about French culture, but I learned a lot about American culture from reading this. How typically self-centered American of me, I suppose.
The book is aimed towards explaining French culture for the purpose of business relations and from a cross-cultural view with that of Americans. I am far from qualified to say whether or not the descriptions of the French were accurate, I'm sure there are lots of generalizations in this text about the French (just as there are about Americans). The general views and values of the U.S. they described were pretty accurate though, in my opinion, and explained a lot about why there is such a love/hate relationship between France & the U.S. An interesting read.
The book is aimed towards explaining French culture for the purpose of business relations and from a cross-cultural view with that of Americans. I am far from qualified to say whether or not the descriptions of the French were accurate, I'm sure there are lots of generalizations in this text about the French (just as there are about Americans). The general views and values of the U.S. they described were pretty accurate though, in my opinion, and explained a lot about why there is such a love/hate relationship between France & the U.S. An interesting read.
March 26, 2016
This was an eye-opener. It explains a lot of my experiences doing business with customers and colleagues in France over the years. Eastern Canada, too, now that I think of it.
I'm not saying that your mutual frustrations will disappear overnight, but will certainly be cut by 50% in the short term.
If you are French interacting with Americans or Americans interacting with the French, you must read this book.
Take off your blue colored glasses before putting on your counterpart's yellow colored glasses!
I'm not saying that your mutual frustrations will disappear overnight, but will certainly be cut by 50% in the short term.
If you are French interacting with Americans or Americans interacting with the French, you must read this book.
Take off your blue colored glasses before putting on your counterpart's yellow colored glasses!
January 27, 2016
Really learned a lot about American culture as well as French culture. It was fascinating to learn why the French are French. Especially how Americans grow up believing French are this way and that way and never really knowing why..well this book explained why the French are French in the best way! Though the second part of the book is directed more towards a company who is working with French people, it was still very ineteresting.
April 5, 2015
Lots of good information here and its very well-written and organized, but it tries a little bit too hard to be complete and it becomes a little bit dry. It also felt very targeted at people with a severe American-centric world view. They really chew up every difference for you.
July 20, 2016
If you're thinking of moving to France, read this book first. It probably won't change your mind, but it can give you some insight as to what to expect. Written in a way that's easy to follow and understand even though some information heavy topics are covered.
May 24, 2011
This was the required text for my French class. This book is terribly inconsistent and repetitive. The generalizations are enough to make a person crazy.
June 7, 2015
I didn't finish this book, but the third that I read was interesting! I definitely learned some interesting cultural differences that helped me on my trip to Paris!
Want to read
February 27, 2016Recommended by Derek Sivers, along with "A Geek In Japan"
Read
September 7, 2016As many times as I've traveled to France, there is still more to learn. A bit dry.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews