Au Contraire! Figuring Out the French

Au Contraire! Figuring Out the French

by Gilles Asselin (Author), RuthMastron (Author)

Synopsis

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 EuroDisney in Paris, Mickey Mouse was 'greeted' by angry protesters hurling tomatoes and eggs. What went wrong? As a culture, the French are fiercely independent yet romantic, conservative yet avant-garde, rational yet emotional. In "Au Contraire!: Figuring Out the French", bilingual and bicultural authors Gilles Asselin and Ruth Mastron explore beyond the stereotypes, examining the assumptions, attitudes, patterns of thought and beliefs that make the French so - French. Written for anyone interested in or interacting with the French, "Au Contraire!: Figuring Out the French" unearths the often invisible cultural forces that govern behaviour. Gilles Asselin and Ruth Mastron draw on their own experiences as consultants and trainers, as well as those of expatriate students and professionals, to offer the best and most useful analysis and advice on intercultural relations with the French.

$3.29

Save:$18.32 (85%)

Quantity

1 in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 304
Edition: 2nd Revised edition
Publisher: Intercultural Press
Published: 02 Sep 2010

ISBN 10: 1931930929
ISBN 13: 9781931930925

Media Reviews
Mastron and Asselin have truly grasped the complex interfacing with Frenchculture. And nobody's right or wrong, just different! I find Au Contraire! delightfully validating-a great piece of work. -- Nancy Bragard, Franco-American interculturalist, trainer and coach
Au Contraire! takes you on a journey of not only uncovering cultural differences but understanding and appreciating these differences in practically every aspect of life-whether it is business, public, or private. . . . A must-read for anyone seeking to gain better insight into French culture -- Michael O. Davenport, director, Human Resources, UniStar Nuclear Energy
This new edition rightly underlines the regional and cultural diversity that contributes to the charm of France. The authors have moved France far from the cliches of an old-fashioned country. Vive le dialogue interculturel! -- Olivia Brunet, European Commission's Regions of Knowledge Programme
Chock-full of practical examples, humor, and just the right amount of historical context, Au Contraire! is a valuable book for anyone working or living with the French. Even better than the first edition! -- Natalie Lutz, intercultural trainer
Give it three Michelin stars for both nourishing the mind and charming the heart. -- George Simons, associate director, Diversophy France
Author Bio
Gilles Asselin, founder and executive director of New Jersey-based SoCoCo Intercultural, is a program designer, trainer and consultant who helps international executives and managers succeed when working across cultures. Ruth Mastron is vice-president of SoCoCo Intercultural and was formerly a liaison for overseas operations for various international corporations.