What Science in the tropics should not be about

International scientific journals periodically publish articles about research which often takes place in the “global South”, nevertheless, the results of this research are frequently authored and conducted mainly by principal investigators from the “global North”. This reality reflects economic and structural disparities resulting from centuries of differential economic growth, extraction, and exploitation. Although scientists from the global North of this generation do not work for empires which are in the process of active colonization, they still have a responsibility to behave in an intellectual non-imperialistic manner. The authors of this paper, both from the global South (one practicing science in the global North), discuss examples in which the practice of field science or its reporting have failed to be inclusive or even respectful of the local investigators or communities. We also discuss examples of inclusive and respectful papers and point to how the authors of these projects behaved differently. We understand that some linguistic or reporting practices might seem benign to those who use or promote them. However, to those of us who are mis-represented by those reports, these words matter and offend. We are taking this opportunity to discuss these issues with our peers and hope for an inclusive and respectful global practice of field science, as well as a better science communication.