French culture treats how something is done as genuinely important, not just instrumentally useful. Form carries weight independent of outcome—process matters as much as result. A correct conclusion reached through incorrect method is less valuable than one reached properly.
This means that taking care with presentation, structure, and procedure demonstrates seriousness and competence. A well-formatted document, a properly structured argument, a correctly followed procedure—these are not mere decoration but part of what makes work legitimate. Don’t assume that substance can be separated from form, or that French counterparts will overlook procedural shortcuts if outcomes are acceptable. They may view sloppy form as sloppy thinking. Invest in getting the form right because form is part of the substance in French professional culture.
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