Documentation and Written Form

French culture privileges written form as a source of legitimacy and record. Written agreements carry more weight than oral understandings; documented procedures have more force than informal practices. Proper paperwork creates official record; what remains merely spoken is less certain.

This means that important agreements should be documented in writing, procedures should be formalized, and records should be maintained. When French counterparts request documentation, understand that this reflects cultural expectation, not excessive bureaucracy. Ensure that your dossier is complete—that you have provided all requested documentation in proper form. Create written records of important communications and decisions.

In French professional culture, if it’s not written down, it’s not quite official. Documentation demonstrates that proper process was followed and creates the record that French systems expect.