The article deals with problems associated with the introduction of plain language into official correspondence. The conclusions presented have been drawn from the training of about 800 officials working in ministries, regional government and other institutions financed from the state budget. The author discusses selected factors hindering effective implementation of plain Polish. These are: the lack of sanctioning of plain language by law, ambiguity, connotations as well as the relative meaning of the phrase plain language/plain Polish, officials’ habits and beliefs.