The traditional command in France is “Ouistiti!” (pronounced wee-stee-tee) instead of “Say Cheese!” when taking pictures. Your lips assume a semi-smile when saying the “wee” in ouistiti. A ouistiti is a type of South American monkey.
A Tour Eiffel sign on its first platform in 2006 noted:
On January 15, 1921 Illustration magazine reported: “…the experiment of a young building painter, Mr. Paul Cans, who concocted an ingenious device to move up and down a smooth rope as easily and safely as one would on a staircase. Going by the name of “ouistiti”, the apparatus is a pocket staircase; the inventor demonstrated its advantages by hoisting himself up to the first platform of the Eiffel Tower (187 feet) with the greatest of ease in just a few minutes.”
A Ouistiti is also the name of a commercial climbing harness for children.
Cynthia Tuttelman (aka "Tut") is a writer, family doctor and quilter who lives in Northern California and part-time each year in Paris, France. Follow along and explore the wonders of Paris.