7 Things I learned about French office culture in Toulouse
In 1998, I discovered the French don’t DO work the same way as Brits. (Never mind Americans or Canucks.)
I had just arrived in Bristol, UK, for what turned into two decades. Hadn’t been there long before I had to fly to Toulouse. I’d make 50 such trips over the next decade.
Learned quite quickly the little cultural nuances that make Toulouse a very endearing place to work.
In Toulouse ….
People drift in anwhere from 7 to 10AM …
But it’s rare for them to leave the office before 6PM.
And 6PM or not, you don’t head home before the boss does ….
Why? Can only assume it’s because nobody wants to be seen to be shirking their work.
Lunch away from the desk (in the canteen) is important ….
And it’s damn good food.
France? Cuisine? And the locals complained!
It was delightful compared with any canteen grub I’d eaten in Canada or the UK!
Espresso after lunch, in a dedicated espresso bar, is also important ….
And it’s damn good espresso.
So is a lengthy walkabout after your espresso ….
Toulouse? Sunshine? What’s the rush?
By the time you get back to the office, easily 90 minutes have gone by.
Vacations aren’t important, they’re sacred ….
One French engineer sneered, “If a boss ever asked to contact me when I’m on holiday, I’d give him this!” showing me his middle finger.
Contrast that with Canada, where it was expected to be reachable while on holiday. (Maybe it’s changed now.)
Use humour sparingly ….
In the UK, humour is used to defuse tension.
I had a reputation as a joker in Bristol. It kept people everyone relaxed enough to focus. But in Toulouse? Tone it down, mate. We’re here to work, not have fun.
All told, mind, I’d happily live and work there again!
