THE FRENCH EXCEPTION

Moving to France means discovering an entirely new culture. Most new arrivals are both charmed and confounded by the contradictions of the French character, but unraveling this richly complex society can be a rewarding process.

Along with adapting to cultural differences and the local pace, you'll need to make friends and settle in at work. Understanding the subtleties of French social and business etiquette is important if you want to avoid common blunders, make friends and be accepted by your colleagues.

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

• France has a culture that appreciates and makes time for the finer things in life.
• In the art of cooking, the French have few rivals. This stems both from their passion for haute cuisine and from the range and quality of local produce.
• While the French are proud to be French when it comes to football and international politics, their real loyalty is to their region or - particularly in the case of Paris and Marseilles - to their city.
• The 35-hour working week may have given the French a reputation for being work shy, but their productivity remains among the highest in Europe.
• French employees get 5 weeks of vacation, and enjoy long summer holidays. France practically shuts down in August, when everyone escapes to the countryside or the sea.

In general, business hours are from 8:30 or 9:00am to 6:30 or 7:00pm. Lunch may last for up to two hours. In small towns and villages outside Paris, many shops and offices close for lunch.