EFL
It is a simple request: smile more. But it is at the heart of a wide-ranging campaign by French officials to win back American tourists and their dollars so important to France's economy.
Recent posters on display in Paris depict Mona Lisa, one of the Louvre's most famous possessions, with a small alteration: her mysterious smile is underlined by another, much like the "smiley face" ubiquitous in America. Tourism officials in Paris are hopeful that 6,000 such renderings promoting the "Bonjour Campaign" will encourage hotel clerks, waiters, bus drivers and metro employees to be nicer and more helpful to tourists. Its key missive: to smile more.
Oh yeah, that'll work
The French are convinced that the U.S. perception that they — particularly Parisians — are unfriendly to Americans has added to the tourism decline caused by France's position on the war with Iraq. On a beautiful June day in Paris, as a cloudless blue sky looks down on familiar tourist attractions, it is clear something is different. At the Eiffel Tower, along the Champs Elysees and at the Cathedral of Notre Dame, there are Japanese, German and British tourists — but few Americans.
"I think they're staying at home," a young Frenchman, Rene Eskengren, said. "Don't you think so?"
We just decided to visit our friends.
It would appear so: so far this year there are 25 percent fewer Americans visiting France than a year ago. And a recent study for a large travel agency found that France had slipped from the No. 2 destination for American travelers to No. 17. The reason cited is mainly France's position on Iraq.
Bwahahahaha!!
It has been a rude awakening for French officials. "I think they're shocked," said Adam Gopnik, who reported for six years from Paris for The New Yorker magazine. Gopnik said the French believe their position on Iraq was one of principle, and was not driven by anti-Americanism or resentment of the United States. The French are not only shocked, but hurt, he told ABCNEWS. "There's also this feeling of rejection, of being misunderstood and being maligned unfairly.
Oh, we understand all right.
"If you're gonna hate France, hate Canada because Canada and France shared exactly the same policy on this particular issue."
Umm,, OK. |