The stereotype of French professionals nurturing working relationships over long, indulgent lunches features prominently in the Netflix series “Emily in Paris.” However, when it comes to French lawyers, the reality might be a touch different. While it’s true that French lawyers often entertain their clients over midday meals rather than having a solitary lunch at their desks, these meetings might not be as plentiful or luxurious as one could imagine.
The way the lunch culture is depicted in the series, with colleagues gathered around a table laden with delicacies, isn’t always faithful to reality. On the contrary, these meetings are often businesslike and efficient, with a focus on building a personal rapport with clients. The formidable character Sylvie in the series may have a strict no-food policy in the office, but this is not a universal representation of French legal culture.
Undoubtedly, there may be some difference of opinion when it comes to how accurately “Emily in Paris” represents French culture. Still, one aspect it does get right is the importance of sharing a meal in fostering personal and professional relationships, a practice that seems to have found pronounced preference among French lawyers.
To discover more on how French lawyers entertain their clients, follow this link to the original article on Law.com.