Before traveling abroad, I went to numerous orientations for this International Internship Program that prepared me for the different customs I would encounter during my time in France. During these sessions, we discussed the work-life boundaries that would be expected in the workplace, as well as the formal administrative differences compared to my experiences in the United States. We went over how we would address our supervisors, taking into account the importance of the hierarchal chain of command in the professional environment in France. Additionally, we considered the role of discussion and debate, especially during the hour of lunch each day.
While I have noticed that discussion has been a key element of daily life in the workplace, I was a bit surprised when my supervisor asked me to address her using the informal pronoun “tu” rather than “vous”. Furthermore, I have not observed much tension with the work-life boundaries we were told to expect. Instead, my coworkers and I often talk about our weekends and upcoming plans.
However, I have had some difficulty adapting to the differences of communication style and structure surrounding the work day. The tasks are very hands-off, and I am rarely given direct instruction as to how I should complete my work. It is up to me and my own creative liberty to handle my role in the non-profit, and I must take initiative to propose how a task should be completed. In America, I am typically used to receiving exact instruction and following a fixed schedule that outlines the day ahead. Yet, I have found that rather than being told what to do by my supervisor, I am often the one who explains how I will approach the task at hand. While I am enjoying this freedom, it can be a bit intimidating as a foreign college intern at a French organization. At the same time, it also gives me greater confidence to complete the work to the best of my ability, as my supervisor has instilled a great deal of trust in my capabilities.
Outside of the workplace, I am still finding it difficult to navigate social etiquette, especially when it comes to situational politeness. For instance, this past weekend, I struck up a conversation with the cashier. As I asked her how she was, the people in line behind me looked somewhat confused, and the cashier was taken aback. What I considered a polite gesture was actually something very out of the ordinary in that context. In France, it is not customary to ask someone how they are doing unless you are acquainted with them. As an American, I naturally defaulted to greeting someone I did not personally know. However, I failed to take into account the differences in cultural norms and mannerisms. As a result, I often have to make a conscious effort to remind myself where I am and the different expectations of French culture.
With that, I also struggle to know when I should use formal or informal language when interacting with others. The distinction between “tu” and “vous” is not too challenging, but there is much more to uncover with the French etiquette than what we were taught in the classroom. For example, it is generally inappropriate to greet a coworker with “salut,” as that greeting is typically used when saying hello to a friend and familiar acquaintance. There are many layers to what is accepted as formal and informal, as well as expectations regarding when certain words should be used. It can be hard to contribute to a discussion with limited vocabulary, especially as I am still learning which expressions are appropriate in the given context.
That said, I feel like I am learning something new every day, and with each situation I encounter, I am deepening my understanding of the French culture and the use of expressions. As I expand my vocabulary of the language, I am able to better navigate my way through social interactions. Working in a French office and communicating in the language has served as an incredible opportunity to reach my fullest potential in fluency. Every day I am in an environment where I listen, observe, and speak in French, and it has granted me the space to practice my knowledge and improve in areas where I am still developing. Each day is a new opportunity, and I cannot wait to learn more tomorrow!
