Improper Language

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
TO: ALL MEXICAN WORKERS IN NEW YORK,
U.S. Embassy, Mexico City

SUBJECT: IMPROPER LANGUAGE USAGE IN BI-NATIONAL ENDEAVORS

It has been brought to our attention, by several officials, that improper language is commonly used by Mexican staff. Such behavior, in addition to violating NAFTA's spirit, is regarded as highly unprofessional and offensive. Therefore, it is the conviction of the American Administration that everyone concerned should immediately adhere to the following rules:

1. Words like "carajo", "chingada" and other such expressions, will not be used for emphasis, no matter how heated the discussion might be.

2. You will not say "pendejo" or "la cagas", when somebody is being reprimanded, or "que pendejada" or "que mamadas son estas" when a major mistake or conflict has risen. All forms derived from the verbs pendejear, mamar or cagar are inappropriate in our environment, for they lead to further confusion and potential disagreement.

3. No project manager, section head administrator or least Ambassador, under any circumstances will be referred to as "hijo de su chingada madre", "hijo de puta", "cabrón" or "ojete".

4. Lack of determination will not be referred to as "falta de huevos" nor will persons with lack of initiative be referred as "pinche puto", "maricón", "culero" or "pendejo".

5. Unusual creative or original ideas should not be referred to as "pinches jaladas".

6. Do not say "como chinga" or "jode" if a person is persistent, or "está jodido" if a colleague is going through a difficult situation, or his/her country's position is untenable or ill-conceived. Furthermore, you must not say "que chinga" or "ya valió madres" when matters turn complicated.

7. When asking someone to leave you alone, you must not say "vete a la chingada" or "vete al carajo". Do not ever substitute "May I help you?" with "¿qué chingados quieres?". When things get tough and unacceptable, an expression such as "We are going through a difficult time" should be used rather than, "esto está de la chingada".

8. A stalemate in negotiations should never be referred to as... "esto ya mamó".

9. If you make a mistake just say so, and not say "ya la cagué" or "ya me llevó la chingada" when your authorities get to know about your mistakes.

10. Under no circumstance should you call our elderly directive partners "rucos ojetes".

11. When in a hurry, never use expressions such as "ándale cabrón" or "órale putos".

12. The expression "te la pelas" should not be used to discourage someone.

13. "Nos la pelaron" should not be used to convey the idea of victory in a negotiation.

14. Body language like that used by Roque Villanueva is prohibited.

15. When a problem is not your responsibility, you must not say "no es mi pedo", for there is no accurate translation of the expression in our language.

16. Last but not least, after reading this note please do not say "me voy a limpiar el culo con esto", just keep it clean and dispose of it properly.

Received February 2001