French professional culture treats the decision to share information as something requiring thought, not as a default setting of openness. Before sharing, people consider: Who is receiving this? What is the context?
What might result from sharing or not sharing? This deliberative approach means that silence is often an active choice, not mere absence of information. If French colleagues seem to pause before responding to questions, they may be genuinely considering what and how much to share. Respect this deliberation rather than pressing for immediate answers. When you need information, make clear why you need it and how it will be used—this gives others the context they need to make good judgments about what to share.
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