As tourism falters, officials issue PR plea to Parisians: Smile, please

With visits to Paris dropping 17 percent since last year, the city’s Tourism Board is asking residents to please smile. Seriously. “To counter the slump and boost revenues, the tourist board has set up stands manned by teams of ‘smile ambassadors’ to welcome holiday makers at the city’s most popular spots,” Reuters reported. But without sneering Frenchmen and women the city will lack that certain—oh I don’t know what.