As any other civilized people on earth, Mexicans-especially Chilangos-are not fond of authority. This aversion is captured in the way they refer to police officers: la tira (TEE-dah) to refer collectively to the police department, tira or tiras to refer to one or several officers of the law. The word comes from tiranía (lit. tyranny). Tiras usually travel in a trulla (TROO-jah), which is a contraction of patrulla (lit. squad car).
In the image above you can see two tiras in their charro uniform (sombrero and all) right next to a trulla. A synonym for tira when used collectively is chota (CHAW-tah), and a synomym for tira when referring to one officer is azul (a-ZOOL, lit. a blue one) because of their uniforms' traditional color.
Travel advice: when in trouble with the police in Mexico City, never offer any bribe. Wait for the tiras to ask first, and then haggle.
In the image above you can see two tiras in their charro uniform (sombrero and all) right next to a trulla. A synonym for tira when used collectively is chota (CHAW-tah), and a synomym for tira when referring to one officer is azul (a-ZOOL, lit. a blue one) because of their uniforms' traditional color.
Travel advice: when in trouble with the police in Mexico City, never offer any bribe. Wait for the tiras to ask first, and then haggle.
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