Ever since VL started way back when, Jennifer and I have been complaining about Cinco de Mayo being misunderstood and misused as an excuse for half price margaritas.

But this year seems to be especially special because my inbox has been flooded with Cinco de Mayo marketing tie-ins way beyond your normal Mexican hat dance drinking games.

The Food Network sent me an email, telling me how to get ready for Cinco de Mayo. Apparently the way to get ready is to spend money on a Rachel Ray fajita pan and a corn zipper (what the hell is a corn zipper?!

The Fine Living Network didn’t send me one margarita recipe but 10!

Evite sent me an email telling me all the hot places in NYC to celebrate the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. And just so I know how hot these parties will be, they included a picture of chiles- caliente! I think my favorite though is how Evite allows us all to create our own stereotypical parties. What do Mexicans like more than booze and women? Well nothing!

Speaking of the ladies, Maxim lets you pick your favorite Mexican hottie in honor of the day.Jessica Alba, who won’t call herself Mexican is on the list!

I logged into my Yahoo! account and was greeted by a mini mariachis and Mexican dancers.

Ay caramba! After all these sterotypes so early in the day, I need a drink. In the immortal words of Paulina Rubio, dame otro tequila!

P.S. : This was the first post of the day but I bumped it up after seeing a NYT online article about tequila tastings for 5th de Mayo with zero mention of it being anything than a reason to consume of things “Mexican”.

Send me your most offensive, annoying, and positive Cinco de Mayo stories! It can’t be all bad, right? And I’m not even Mexican (sorry to disappoint all the people telling me to go back to Mexico).