The Region Tourist Committee Paris Ile-de-France has put up a promotional tourist site, C'est So Paris. The French are here trying to have a little fun at their own expense. But they don't quite know how to go about it.

Funny should need no expository support. However, if you are new to the operations of humor, the Region Tourist Committee Paris Ile-de-France explains why and how humor has been used on the site:

The objective is to show Londoners that Paris isn't a stuffy museum city, but that it is a vibrant destination brimming with exiting [sic, a very funny typo] events that are worth visiting regularly. Not afraid to make fun of the city's stereotypes, the Regional Tourism Committee of Paris Ile-de-France uses humour to give Paris a new image.

Let's take a look. This is just lame. And try as we might, we just do not get this. We question whether this is funny at all. The retouching is so muddy, even if we told you what it is, you might not see it.

C'est So Paris is also running a little contest, with a "luxury Paris weekend for 2" as the prize. The challenge is to mug it up as a Parisian. C'est So Paris presents a gallery of typical expressions. But you will never pass for Parisian imitating this weak tea.

Below right, Pave provides expressions more commonly encountered in Paris.

MOCK PARIS
Real Expressions, Real Winners

Top to bottom:

• L'ONU : Make this face when someone suggests you stop talking about doing something and actually do it. For example, refill the paper tray for the copier or shut down a murderous tyrant.
  Method: Throw the head slightly back and send the eyebrows to the opposite corners of your forehead. Stretch the mouth without exposing the teeth and assume an attitude of wounded shock.
  Message: "There is no consensus on this."

• La crotte : Use this expression when strolling with a companion.
  Method: Snap the chin out while hiking the eyebrows into your hairline. Lightly bite the lower lip. As you stare pie-eyed at your companion's last footfall. Assume a look of mild horror.
  Message: " Mon ami ! You have stepped in the sh*t."

• Le fromage : Make this face if physically pressed by someone with a lump of Epoisses de Bourgogne tucked in the oxter.
  Method: Hood the eyes and mass the brows over the nose root. Tightlly seal the lips while pulling the mouth down and bringing the commissures round the back of the head. Dilate the nostrils-- but DO NOT breath in. Exude displeasure without signs of strain.
  Message: "You, Monsieur (or madam or mademoiselle or citizen), have quite the pong."

• Quoi ? : Present this face when blamed or caught out. For example, in the scenario above, the persona foetidissima would make such a face.
  Method: Leading with the head, lean forward. Push the chin in and up; the maxillary process out and down. Allow the eyes to glaze as the eyebrows hesitate above. Imagine the driven snow.
  Message: "I am sure I do not know what you are suggesting."

[Hat tip: Carine]

PFFT (What is this?): Bonne chance ! | Rayonnement français 0

Still there, "exiting" times await you.

Lol.