France celebrates its national day on the 14th of July, which is 'raison de fete' for the French business community here in Romania. We've talked to several French business people here in Romania, to learn what impact living in Romania had on their lives and to share their thoughts with readers on this celebration day. Vive la France!

Jean-Pierre Vigroux, Managing Partner, Mazars

What are the main things (even lessons if any) you have learned while in Romania and for how long have you been here?

I’ve been living in Romania for the last 20 years. The experience of staying in a country other than the country of birth is in itself developing curiosity and opening one’s mind. But I want to focus on what I’ve learned in Romania which I wouldn’t have necessarily learned in another place. I believe that I’ve learned to become patient and incredibly consistent with my efforts. There are two features of life in Romania which make this country unique: the sadism of its civil servants and the use of the “Scottish shower,” i.e. alternating chills with heat - in handling negotiations. A lot of stamina is needed to jump over all the obstacles hampering the creation of a business. But the good news is that the long and winding road often leads to a happy ending for those who deserve it.

What are the main things you like and the ones you dislike about Romania?

A certain level of hypocrisy is needed to secure a smooth social life in civilized groups of people. But I dislike a quite common abuse of insincerity when a Romanian can shed a flow of flattering words on a person and bash the same person with awful gossips a few minutes later. I also dislike the poor appetite of Romanians for compliance with law, the undue tolerance for charlatans!

At the same time, I like the survival of cultural values, the fact that a highly educated person remains respected by the society even if s/he enjoys little material wealth. I also deeply like the sense of solidarity among the members of a family.

To what extent can you find French values here, in Romania? Please give us a few examples of French values/traits and whether or not you could find them in Romania.

I believe that Romania shares with France the distinctive feature of being a “Cultural Power” in today’s world. This is made up of the outstanding contribution of the country to the human heritage in arts and sciences, of the already mentioned respect for academic education and of the general acceptance of merit as the key of success. We call this “méritocratie républicaine” in French [i.e. republican meritocracy]. But I don’t want to be too serious on a day of celebration. Another common trait is the liking for bright and witty speeches, sometimes at the expense of the depths of thought. I will not forget the sense of seduction, the pleasure that a man can feel courting a lady and the pleasure of the lady being courted. Romanian and French equally like complex love games. Is that the reason why there are so many bi-national couples?

Any thoughts you would like to share with the other French people in Romania on the 14th of July?

When I arrived in Bucharest, my Romanian friends were telling me that French people are arrogant. As a matter of fact, I’ve been arrogant enough to believe that such statements were prejudices without real substance until I commenced working for a company of French origin, though it tends to become global. My conclusion: yes, it’s true. A significant proportion of French people enjoy giving lessons to humanity. So, dear compatriots, even if we are often right , let’s show more tolerance!

Thierry Le Gall, CEO ArcelorMittal Galati

What were the main things (even lessons if any) you have learned while in Romania and for how long have you been here?

I started my mandate as CEO of ArcelorMittal Galati in May 2009, along with the reorganisation of the Flat Carbon Division. The plant in Galati became the centre of Flat Carbon South Eastern Europe Business Division. Romania (and the nearby countries) is a market with an important development potential therefore the decision was taken for the company to be best prepared to take advantage of the regional growth.

What are the main things you like and the ones you dislike about Romania?

The most important thing that I appreciated since I arrived in Romania is the fact that the country is constantly developing. More and more foreign companies start to invest here. Having good business partners implies constant development from our side. I also found here very well trained professionals and people with significant potential who are constantly working on the plant’s progress. We brought a number of Western specialists, including from France, through a twinning program, to provide support for the local teams. As a manager, I am happy to coordinate devoted and talented people.

To what extent can you find French values here in Romania? Please give us a few examples of French values / traits and whether you could find them in Romania or not?

As Romania has Latin heritage, one can find similarities between the French and the Romanian people. I was even delighted to find out that the Romanian people study the French language in school and most of them speak well the language.

Any thoughts you would like to share with the other French people in Romania on the 14th of July?

I would like to salute all French people in Romania and in France and to send them my regards as the National Day of France is approaching.

Guy Poupet, CEO BRD – Groupe Societe Generale

What were the main things (even lessons if any) you have learned while in Romania and for how long have you been here?

I came to Romania merely one and a half years ago. Was it a long or a short time ago?! I think we can get closer to the truth only if we take into account the knowledge acquisition per unit of time. I covered more than a hundred thousand kilometres; I spoke to thousands of people all over the country. I’ve learnt a lot about these places and people and I don’t intend to stop here.

I knew a bit about Romania when I came here. I’m saying this now, after I’ve realized that this country, with a people that is so very much like the French people, can be so profound. The country has been blessed with exceptional beauties, and the Romanian people have given numerous proofs of its rich spirit to the European and universal culture. But my coming to Romania is first of all related to my job. I knew that BRD was a well-managed bank and this was confirmed as soon as I arrived here. The bank has got a good client database and one of the best profitability rates in the international retail banking structure of the Société Générale Group. I have found here a very good management team and personnel with high technical training. All of these have enabled us to get good results in a period which the recession has made very difficult.

What are the main things you like and the ones you dislike about Romania?

I've already mentioned several charming things: I like the beauty of the country, the diversity of the regions, the Latin ambiance; to that list, I'd like to add the exceptional potential of this country, and its excellent position as investment and business environment in the entire region.

On the other hand, I’d say that the slowness, with which advantages are put to use, is a thing that is it to disappear, would greatly benefit Romania. Particularly in some matters as infrastructure and road traffic.

To what extent can you find French values here in Romania? Please give us a few examples of French values/traits and whether you could find them in Romania or not.

The closeness between the French and the Romanian did not happen yesterday or a decade ago. We’re talking about a phenomenon that spreads over several centuries. The Romanian Youth studied in Paris as far back as the 1700-1800. “The Little Paris” still shows its landmarks in architecture, literature, music, etc. Freedom is among the first values cherished by both peoples. I’ll stop here, because I risk taking up all your space…

Any thoughts you would like to share with the other French people in Romania on the 14th of July?

We are a significant community in Romania, not just in Bucharest. I think we will congratulate each other, as it is our celebration, the celebration of our freedom. Being here, seeing the way we are welcomed helps us no longer feel homesick, which is so more powerful these days. France is among the top foreign investors in Romania. The French companies were right in their intuition to come here, even when those who dared to do it were very few. Societe Generale made its first important investment in Central and Eastern Europe here in Romania, at BRD. So, you see, I’ve got reasons to be proud when I meet my fellow countrymen.

Charles Baudart, Sales Manager, AGS

What were the main things (even lessons if any) you have learned while in Romania and for how long have you been here?

I learned that when life is difficult, rather than to protest against it, better work hard and try to find a solution. This philosophy is really put into practice by a lot of Romanians, in difficult situations, financially for example. When the Government cut pensions, increased VAT, cut a lot of social revenues, French people would have strike for a month (not necessary with results). I was amazed to see how few people went on strike in Romania (I am not saying it is a good thing). This shows, despite a bit of resignation it's true, a real strength of character. People don’t count on the state, the EU, the others all the time. They fight. Compare to these situations, our small work problems become even smaller. It is in a way a life lesson. Stop complaining to the whole word and fight to improve your life, yourselves.

What are the main things you like and the ones you dislike about Romania?

What I liked the most in Romania was definitely the people. Not that I had a bad prejudice before, but I have been really amazed with people (the fact that I am coming from Paris may had played a role). As a tourist, as a foreigner, as somebody who is lost or somebody who doesn't speak the language, I always met some people willing to help me. I particularly remember my first professional trip to Sibiu (when I was not speaking Romanian at all). I was looking for a street for a meeting and an old “baba” seeing me with my map, tried to helped me. As I was not speaking Romanian and she was definitely not speaking something else than Romanian, she called her son, who was speaking English in order to translate my questions and her answers. You won’t find something like this in France. Apart from this kindness, Romanian people, and especially young people have a dynamism rarely found somewhere else. A dynamism professionally and personally. I have to say it was not my first impression, but with time, I really discovered a generation who wants to take on the world and change their country.

What I really dislike is the waste of all this energy and dynamism of people, of all the potential of Romania, in general due lack of improvements. It would be false to say that nothing changes, but I saw too many people stop trying, too many projects failing, to many wonderful things not emphasized as they should, due to different reason such as bad governance, corruption, …. A lot of people just resign themselves. It is not something which affects my perception of Romania, but I see it as an unbelievable waste of human and material resources for Romanians and Romania

And If I love Romanian people, I can really hate them when they are in a car ;-)

To what extent can you find French values here in Romania? Please give us a few examples of French values/traits and whether you could find them in Romania or not.

French and Romanian have a lot of things in common beside the fact that we are both Latin people. Take for example the tradition (and the pleasure) to make a big dinner with friends or family (specially for big occasion such as Easter). The pleasure of cooking and food in general is a shared value for sure.

The “hot blood” is also something we have in common. When we are in the middle of a big debate, we will generally speak louder and louder and with passion to express ourselves but without any anger or nervousness. If you don’t understand French or Romanian, you could think that we are actually at the middle of an argument! Finally, if we count how many Romania-French weddings are taking place each year, I think we now also have blood ties ;-)

Any thoughts you would like to share with the other French people in Romania on the 14th of July?

Always try to see Romania like it is and not like it looks at first sight, without prejudice in good or in bad. Go further than the tourist guide tells you, even better, go randomly on the roads of Romania, and you will discover a wonderful country with wonderful people.

Maxime Porte, Managing Director, Carmedia

What were the main things (even lessons if the case) you have learned while in Romania and for how long have you been here?

I first came in Romania 3,5 years ago with a professional purpose. I worked for 2 years in BRD and finally remained in this country to create my own company, Carmedia – media agency specialized in advertising through cars. Judging my experience in Romania, I learned to go ahead and be positive. I get up every morning having in mind the phrase, "there are no problems but only solutions"

What are the main things you like and the ones you dislike about Romania?

One thing I love in Romania is that anything is possible. But anything is possible in both directions, negative or positive. It is this that I love and I hate about Romania.

To what extent can you find French values here in Romania? Please give us a few examples of French values/traits and whether you could find them in Romania or not.

There are lots of French values ​​that can be found in Romania. Our Latin past brings us closer in many ways, probably the most striking common feature being the way we act in inter-human relationships. Also the Romanian’s hospitality and friendship reminds me a lot of Southern France.

Any thoughts you would like to share with the other French people in Romania on the 14th of July?

I just want to wish to all French people a Happy 14th of July and drink a glass of champagne with them ... and they shouldn’t forget how lucky they are to live in a growing and changing country like Romania.

Irina Popescu and Corina Saceanu contributed with reporting for to this article.

corina@romania-insider.com; irina.popescu@romania-insider.com