As you said, your article is not a criticism. You’re completely right , made business in France in August is painful. Everyone is out, on holiday, this is really cultural for us.

You’ll see, with the time, you’ll learn (be obliged) to ‘disconnect’ in August. For administration to the little shop, everything go slower.

Nicolas

Thanks for linking to my WWD article. Just to be clear, it wasn’t a criticism! It was simply an observation and an examination of my own experience when confronted with these different cultural attitudes towards work. The point of the post was to make people aware that their assumptions about work could cause problems when dealing with other cultures.

I wouldn’t trade my creative and talented French partners for anything! Their way of functioning and approaching problems is completely different from mine, and this is purely cultural. It will enrich our product ultimately. I’ll just have to learn to take August off too (eventually–it’s hard to change some habits). I’m sure I’ll be better off working with the French and learning to put work in its proper place when all is said and done.

Pamela