French Culture

• 5,000 varieties of wine – variety of French ideosynchrasies

• Five characteristics:– Pureness– Classification– Composition– Suitability– Maturation

• Pureness • It is a VERY complicated process

to make wine, and many variables will affect the outcome (French are very unpredictable, too). You never know what you’re going to get.

• Aggregation of peoples struggling to forge a unified identity

• Belief in cultural superiority

• Classification • Overall 4

classifications of wine, and also four classes of people: – Haute bourgeoise –

aristocrats– Petite bourgeoisie –

white collar workers– Moyennes – middle

class– Populaires -

workers• People know their

place, but do not feel inferior to others

• Outsiders are countenanced but not readily embraced.

• Rules, regulations – there is a certain, proper way to do something (same with wine making).

• Politeness, attention to detail.• Little fluidity crossing class

lines. • Centralized social structure,

including government – tight control of institutions – high level of centralization

• Low risk takers. Want to know you intimately.

• Highly individualistic; very feminine (quality and pace of life are important – “All good wine in its own time.”)

• Innate restlessness to explore every nook and cranny of an issue in conversation.

• They can be argumentative, quick to criticize.• Family is very important, as are close friends. • Long, deep conversations with close relations • Little contact / conversation with others.• Children must be brought up properly. To learn respect. They must

be civilized by parents. • Women are seen as equal but different than men. Different roles.

CompositionAbrupt, spontaneous, relationship-oriented.Legally sanctioned work week of 35 hours.Accept high degree of power distance. Dislike uncertainty

• Suitability• Rules for everything• Complicated but free government and politics• Immigration

• The Maturation Process• Controlled education; maturity must be attained for the child to

progress through grades. Skills must be demonstrated. • More than anything, social status determines one’s future.• French are critical of the way Americans make and discard friends.