In today's globalization, cultural differences and cross-cultural communication have become important issues in international exchange and cooperation. Recently, professor Lin Hua from EMLYON gave a unique lecture to the students of SPEIT, discussing the cultural characteristics and historical background of France and Germany and their influences on global culture, and providing practical suggestions for cross-cultural communication. Lin Hua, who has studied and worked in Europe for many years, analyzed and shared his views on the unique charm of French culture, the comparison of the characteristics of French and German cultures, and how to communicate with Germans and French people.

1

The unique charm of French culture

The name of France originates from the ancient Frankish Kingdom, while its modern meaning is closely related to the Napoleonic Code, republicanism, separation of powers and other rule of law, as well as the birthplace of the French Revolution and the Enlightenment.

France is the representative of the qualified life, from the boutique - such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, to the literary giants Balzac, Hugo, to the recent Nobel Prize winner for Literature, Milan Kundera, to scientific and technological innovations - such as Leonardo da Vinci, Madame Curie's scientific research and Chopin, Picasso, Van Gogh's artistic creations, all reflecting the pluralism and openness of tolerance. In addition, France is the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games, and a pioneer and model of social systems such as socialism, the Paris Commune, the trade union movement, and equal pay for equal work.

2

Comparison of French and German cultures

In terms of culture and lifestyle, France is known for its focus on quality of life, such as beauty, wine, food and fashion, while Germany is known for its pragmatism and efficiency, and for the quality of its industry and products.

In terms of education and governance, France promotes elitist education that fosters critical thinking and innovation, while Germany focuses on egalitarian education, with public universities free of charge and an emphasis on practicality and fairness.

In the field of culture and art, France is famous for painters, literary figures and fashion designers, pursuing aesthetics and diversity, while Germany is famous for philosophers, composers and engineers, emphasizing rationality and logic.

In terms of social values, France emphasizes work-life balance and supports diversity and individuality, while Germany focuses on efficiency and quality, and emphasizes collectivism and consistency.

3

How to communicate with Germans and French

When communicating with the French, it is important to focus on their emotional, relational and affective nature, while understanding their critical thinking and creative spirit. When communicating with Germans, focus on their rationality, rules and efficiency, and emphasize logic and practicality.

In negotiation and communication skills, French logic emphasizes thesis, antithesis, and then conclusion, focusing on criticism and innovation; German logic is rigorous, focusing on facts and data, emphasizing the rules and contractual precision.

Cross-cultural communication is more about adaptation and understanding. When communicating with French and Germans, it is important to first talk about legal compliance and then talk about emotions. In addition, learning French and German is crucial to successful communication, as French has a promising future globally, especially in Africa, while the logic and rigor of German makes it an advantageous language in technical and academic fields.