French Culture and communication

Group 2Ana Garcia-LozaChristina GentDereck JenkinsMalinda LaabsMartha Coward

Verbal Communication

Dereck Jenkins

Ritual and Traditions- VerbalCommunication ConceptsDevelop

Mindfulness

When talking to any foreign culture there needs to be an awareness of the differences in the customs in each culture. “To be a mindful communicator, you should constantly remind yourself that other people are not like you… other people do not use different communication strategies to offend or to be rude....”

Tolerate Ambiuity

Different Cultures have different ways to communicate, for instance, in North America people prefer to have direct access to information. The French culture, however, is more relationship oriented, and includes a variety of conversations and no direct information transactions.

Culture Rituals and Traditions French Social Customs

The French value formality and consider it rude not to be formal. This includes using Monsieur, Madame, or Mademoiselle when talking to people you do not know or to people in authority roles. Titles are also used as part of the formality. Another extremely rude trait is to yell or raise your voice under any circumstance, except during an argument.

L’argot- Slang

In the French culture, there is also slang used. However, it is never used in formal situations. L’argot is used by friends in relaxed environments only. In Paris, it is mostly formality communication used, the farther south in the country, the less formal and more slang they use in daily situations.

Verlan“Verlan is a form of French slang that consists of playing around with syllables.”

Varlan was invented notably by youths, drug users, and criminals.

The primary use of verlan was to communicate in front of authority figures without the authority figure knowing what is being said.

“Verlan was invented as a secret language….” The way that you would “verlan” a word is to separate the syllables then reverse them, remove and add different letters in order to make it grammatically correct and able to be pronounced correctly.

Verlan is still a current type of slang that continues to be evolved in order to stay a type of secret language.

Nonverbal Traditions

Martha Coward

Traditional Nonverbal Communication

• Eye Contact: “means equality.” It is a personal statement that is used more with close acquaintances. If prolonged eye contact is used with strangers, it may be received as an invitation or “request” to start a relationship.

• Shaking Hands: is commonly used for all acquaintances and upon first introduction. A person can be judged through their handshake. Normally, the handshake is quick, with a light touch, there is no iron grip or pumping the hand up and down (Penrod, 2008).

• The Double Kiss: kissing on both cheeks is a greeting or parting symbol, usually between close acquaintances, friends, or family. Often starts with the right cheek first, then the left.

• (French Culture, 1995).

Traditional Nonverbal Communication

• Food and the dinning experience are important to the French culture. Here are some mannerisms used during a meal.

• Putting ones hands on the table means you are enjoying the meal.

• When indicating the meal is “delicious,” the French put their fingers and thumb together, kiss their finger tips, and then open their hand.

• (Penrod, 2008).

• Other forms of French nonverbal communication include:

• When the French hold their hand out shaped like a C and then pitch their fingers and thumb together, this is indicating that they want you to “shut up.”

• In American, the “okay” sign is indicated by pinching only the index finger and thumb together to create a circle. In France, this means “nothing.”

Traditional French Celebrations

• Noel (Christmas). December 24th and 25th • Traditions: gathering of families, traditional Christmas foods, and Pere Noel,

or Father Christmas.

• Easter • Traditions: Winged bells, or flying bells deliver baskets of goodies to

children instead of the Easter Bunny. Families gather on Easter Sunday.

• La Fete de la Victoire. Victory over Germany and the end of World War II. May 8th

• Traditions: Ceremonial speeches are delivered and flowers are placed around monuments honoring citizens who died during the war.

• Bastille Day. Commemorating the beginning of the 1789 French Revolution, when the people of France stormed a prison in Paris,called Bastille. July 14th

• Traditions: Military parades during the day and fireworks at night.

• New Years. January 1st

• Traditions: Wishing friends and family meilleurs voeux, and bonne sante, which means best wishes and good health.

• (Easy French Food 2008).

Traditional French Celebrations

• The Epiphany in France or L’ Epiphanie en France is a special celebration that signifies the day the Magi, or Three Wiseman visited baby Jesus and brought gifts.

• Celebrated January 6th

• “Galette des Rois,” a wafer cake, is a significant part of this celebration. A figurine called la feve is baked into this cake. Whoever gets the slice with this figurine in it become the “king” or “queen” of the day.

• French bakeries begin producing these cakes immediately after Christmas and during the month of January for the celebration.

• (French Moments, 2010).

• Other religious celebrations include:

• The Ascension: commemorates Jesus ascent into heaven. Celebrated 40 days after Easter.

• La Fete de L’Assomption: marks the ascension of the Virgin Mary to heaven. Celebrated the 15th of August

• Toussaint (all saint’s day): a day in which the people of France leave chrysanthemums at a cemetery in honor of past loved ones. Celebrated the 1st of November.

• (Easy French Food 2008).

Informal – Nonverbal use of clothing

Christina Gent

Appearance

• Your clothes can convey a message about what kind of person you are.

• Many cultures highly value appearance, ranging from size, color, clothing and style.

• With different uses of artifacts, we convey our culture, and communicate to others just who we really are.

Artifact• An artifact is considered any clothing

or other element of appearance such as, makeup, jewelry, tattoos, & etc.

• French example: Chapeau Hat.

Culture• Throughout French history, informal

use of clothing was widely based on social class. Recently this is less apparent as people are becoming more distinguished as individuals in a society with increasing social freedoms.

• Nonverbal cues are interpreted within a cultural context.

Political French Clothing• In 1995 a politicized fashion disaster

happened when President Chirac was criticized by Lacoste, the famous French designer and creator of polo shirts.

• The president publically wore a shirt by the US competitor Ralph Lauren.

• This reflects how important formal and informal attire can affect public and private opinions in France.

Expectancy Violations Model• This model proposes that we create rules

and expectations for “norm” nonverbal behavior, and respond when those rules are violated.

• As exemplified by President Chirac when France reacted against the presidents attire.

• Also demonstrating that nonverbal communication is culturally bound.

Fashion as a Form of Communication

Ana Garcia-Loza

Communication through Fashion

• Appearance– A code of nonverbal information.

– According to Beebe, Beebe, and Ivy (2010) “Many cultures around the world place a high value on appearance-body size and shape, skin color and texture, hair style and clothing (p. 95).”

Background of Fashion in France

• France and Fashion– According to wikipedia (2011), “fashion has

been an important export of France since the 17th century, and modern ‘haute couture’ originated in Paris in the 1860s.”

– It is also mentioned in wikipedia that “today, Paris, along with London, Milan, and New York City, is considered one of the world’s fashion capitals, and the city is home or headquarters to many of the premier fashion houses.” These include Chanel, Dior, Givenchy and many others.

Background of fashion in France– Fashion and style has formed an important role

in the history of France • The reign of Louis XI• The haute couture

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_XIV_of_France

fashionmefabulous.com

Background of fashion in France• Haute Couture

– French for ‘high fashion.’– Protected name in France.– High quality, custom-fitted clothes.

– Fashion trends• What to wear, from head to toe.• What styles are in season.

Formal Wear• Men and women in France wear formal clothes

when attending a formal event, such as a business meeting or wedding. They also wear clothes with neutral or dark colors.– Men will wear suits, button-up shirts, ties,

tuxedos, dress shoes.– Women will wear dresses, skirts, blouses, dress

pants, dress shoes.

Gender Roles in French Communication

Malinda Laabs

Gender Roles in French Communication

Women are not to look back at strangers on the street who stare at them. Even if they are interested in them or what they are doing.

For both men and women it is important to look each other in the eyes it stands for equality, and make eye good eye contact.

It is, on the other hand, not appropriate for either gender to look into the eyes of a stranger because that means that they are requesting a relationship.

In French culture it is also seen as looking down on someone that is waiting on you or a sales person to not make eye contact with them.

(Fench Culture, 1995)

Gender Roles in French Communication In the French culture business men do not

loosen their ties or take off their jackets in the office.

Women should not wear bright colors or wear a lot of jewelry or anything with a lot of glitz.

Both men and women should wear conservative clothing.

(France, 2011)

QUESTION’S

1. What is haute couture and what importance does it have in France?

2. What are some important French celebrations and what traditions take place during these celebrations?

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• Easy French Food. (2008). French celebrations throughout the year. Retrieved from http://www.easy-french-food.com/french-celebrations.html

• France Culture. (1995) French culture. Retrieved from http://www.frenchculture.us/

• French Moments. (2010). Epiphany in france. Retrieved from http://www.frenchmoments.com/Epiphany_in_France.html

• Mills, C., I. (1999-2011). French holidays & festivals. Retrieved from http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/DF_holidays.shtml

• Penrod, L. (2008, March 24). History: french culture-nonverbal communication. Retrieved from http://internationalbusiness.wikia.com/wiki/French_Culture-_Non-verbal_Communication

• Sprachcaffe International. (2011). French traditions. Retrieved from http://www.sprachcaffe.com/english/study_abroad/countries/france/typical_french_traditions.htm

• Hughes, A., Reader, K. 1998. Encyclopedia of Contemporary French Culture. Routledge. Pgs. 201-203.

• Beebe, S.A., Beebe, S.J, Ivy, D.K (2010). Communication: Principles for a Lifetime, Fourth Edition. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

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