“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
The 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 bicultural 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.
“Mastron and Asselin have truly grasped the complex interfacing with FrenchAu Contraire! delightfully validating—a great piece of work.”
—Nancy Bragard, Franco-American interculturalist, trainer and coach
“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 clichés of an old-fashioned country. Vive le dialogue interculturel!” —Olivier 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 “Should be mandatory reading for any French or American dealing with the other culture. Practical, relevant, interesting and comprehensive. Equipped with the knowledge Au Contraire! communicates, anyone dealing with French or American culture can rapidly adapt, avoid costly mistakes and learn to appreciate the little idiosyncrasies of the other culture.”
—Jean-Claude Balland, French expatriate and Member of the Board of Alliance Francaise de Portland
About the Authors
GILLES ASSELIN is founder and president of SoCoCo Intercultural, a training and consulting firm specializing in European-American relations. Born and raised in France, Gilles has lived and worked in Africa and the U.S.
RUTH MASTRON is vice president of SoCoCo Intercultural, and was formerly a liaison for overseas operations for various international corporations. Ruth has lived and worked in England and France, and currently resides in California with her French husband and two bilingual cats.
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