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French Culture. 5,000 varieties of wine – variety of French ideosynchrasies Five characteristics: Pureness Classification Composition Suitability Maturation Pureness
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5,000 varieties of wine – variety of French ideosynchrasies • Five characteristics: • Pureness • Classification • Composition • Suitability • Maturation • Pureness • It is a VERY complicated process to make wine, and many variables will affect the outcome (French are very unpredictable, too). You never know what you’re going to get. • Aggregation of peoples struggling to forge a unified identity • Belief in cultural superiority
Classification • Overall 4 classifications of wine, and also four classes of people: • Haute bourgeoise – aristocrats • Petite bourgeoisie – white collar workers • Moyennes – middle class • Populaires - workers • People know their place, but do not feel inferior to others
Outsiders are countenanced but not readily embraced. • Rules, regulations – there is a certain, proper way to do something (same with wine making). • Politeness, attention to detail. • Little fluidity crossing class lines. • Centralized social structure, including government – tight control of institutions – high level of centralization • Low risk takers. Want to know you intimately.
Composition Abrupt, spontaneous, relationship-oriented. Legally sanctioned work week of 35 hours. Accept high degree of power distance. Dislike uncertainty • Highly individualistic; very feminine (quality and pace of life are important – “All good wine in its own time.”) • Innate restlessness to explore every nook and cranny of an issue in conversation. • They can be argumentative, quick to criticize. • Family is very important, as are close friends. • Long, deep conversations with close relations • Little contact / conversation with others. • Children must be brought up properly. To learn respect. They must be civilized by parents. • Women are seen as equal but different than men. Different roles.
Suitability • Rules for everything • Complicated but free government and politics • Immigration • The Maturation Process • Controlled education; maturity must be attained for the child to progress through grades. Skills must be demonstrated. • More than anything, social status determines one’s future. • French are critical of the way Americans make and discard friends.