Au Contraire!: Figuring Out the French

By Gilles Asselin

Book Overview

"I find Au Contraire delightfully validating - a great piece of work." - Nancy Bragard, Franco-American interculturalist, trainer and coachThe French are famously enigmatic: fiercely independent yet deeply romantic, conservative yet avant-garde, rational yet emotional. What is it, exactly, that makes the French so . . . French?

Written for anyone interacting with the French-tourists, businesspeople, international students, Francophiles-Au Contraire offers a perceptive understanding of French cultural beliefs, assumptions and attitudes, along with practical advice on building strong personal and professional relationships with the French. Addressing issues like friendship, politics, work, education and romance, bilingual and bi cultural authors Asselin and Mastron draw upon their own experiences as consultants and trainers, as well as those of students and professionals, giving readers a complete-and compelling-look at French culture.

This revised edition of Au Contraire includes updated information about France's changing social and political climate, advice for succeeding as an expat, information about the French educational system, overviews of France's diverse regions-and more.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1931930929
• ISBN13: 9781931930925
• Release Date: July 2010
• Publisher: Brealey Publishing, Nicholas
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Excellent advice

Although this book was written before the current political crisis that strained relations between France and the United States, it provides excellent general advice for everyone traveling between the two countries. It gives a fair assessment of both cultures and urges the visiter to adopt an open mind and leave cultural baggage and prejudice at home. I spent almost two years planning our recent 3 week trip throughout France and studying the language (which as the authors say is a must). It is arrogant to expect that people in any other country will automatically speak your language. Why should they? Everywhere we went people were reserved, as we expected, but courteous and helpful and sometimes quite friendly. I agree with the authors that the key to good relations and living, working or vacationing in another country, France in this case, is to learn "their" history, culture and language and embrace the differences. I recommend this book highly.

Magnifique!

AU CONTRAIRE is a joy to read, and informative. Having readbooks by Polly Platt on French culture, I would rate thisbook as "creme brulee" to Polly's "jello." Luscious detail here,and historical perspective. I've lived in France for a number of years, and everything contained in this book is accurate and in depth. Bravo to Asselin and Mastron for their major contribution to deciphering the French culture.

"Don't leave home without it"

French and American cultures are so close on the surface and so different underneath that if you plan to live in France for some time or if you live there already, you will never cease to bump into obstacles that you couldn't anticipate because they are cultural in nature. To paraphrase and old French/American saying "the closer it is, the more opposite it is". If you go work there as a manager or a professional this will definitely limit your success unless you are open to change your behavior. But which ones? Companies spend millions of dollars transferring employees and making mergers and acquisition but they have historically underestimated the importance of cultural cross training and support. As a French native who was transferred to the US headquarters, I wish I had received this kind of support instead of the "sink or swim" approach. I since read a lot of books on French and American culture to help me adapt and also make sense of my experience to share it with others. In one word, I wish I had "Au Contraire." "Au Contraire" should be required reading for anybody planning to live in France for some time or interacting with French people on a regular basis, or any French expatriate who wants to make sense of what it is to be French. Companies should give it to the employee they transfer and their family. Actually, they should give it to all employees who have to deal with French counterparts. French-born people planning to live in the US or working with US counterparts will also appreciate it immensely but I wish the authors had a version made for them. This is a gem. This is THE reference. "Don't leave home without it!" Buy it. Read it, and enjoy the culture shock. You will get out of it transformed and stronger.

ZEE BOOK on France... finally!

I have started Au Contraire and just put it down to zip off a note to the authors and potential readers : it is outstanding. Here, finally, as George Simons says, is ZEE BOOK about France, with no value judgements, with historical rationale for the behavior patterns, with a solid logic behind the system and WHY it works for the French (and some of the rest of us). I had to put the book down to commend you both for a reall excellent job. Not only do I find it accurate and well documented (in incidents, in background, in testimony) but also extrememly well written, a compliment I don't pass out freely ! Really, hats off to both of you and I hope you get the recognition (and the royalties !) you deserve for such a well-thought out piece of work. (and I'm only in the first 30 pages !) Bravo à tous les deux Nancy Bragard

Au Contraire, c'est magnifique! You need this book.

This is a wonderful text for everyone who does business with French companies or who has an intercultural relationship (as I have.) The authors dissect and explain those little cultural differences which often cause great frustration and prevent full cooperation, then they suggest ways in which we can adapt presentations, work situations and family plans in order to motivate culturally different persons. I was amazed by the depth of the analases and the efficacy of the solutions. Very difficult situations have been rendered simple and straightforward by application of a few basic ideas. Harmony restored.