French communication starts formal and moves toward informality as relationships develop. This means your first communications should err toward more formal modes—formal address in French (vous), complete and properly formatted correspondence, appropriate professional distance. Do not mistake this formality for coldness; it signals respect and establishes clear ground rules. Presuming informality too early can seem presumptuous or careless.
Instead, let relationships evolve naturally toward less formal modes as familiarity develops. When French counterparts shift toward informality—offering the tu form, dropping elaborate closings—this signals genuine relationship development and you can respond in kind. Starting formal protects both parties by establishing predictable expectations. You can always become less formal; recovering from premature informality is harder.
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