French colleagues maintain clear boundaries between different areas of life—family and work, personal and professional, private and public. Information appropriate in one sphere does not automatically belong in another. Business dinners are not occasions to discuss family problems; office conversations are not the place for personal revelations. Respecting these boundaries shows you understand appropriate behavior; violating them—even with good intentions—can create discomfort and damage trust.
If a French colleague keeps work and personal life separate, respect that separation rather than pushing for more personal connection. The ability to move between spheres while maintaining appropriate information in each is a sign of social competence and good judgment.
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