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Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Originally Posted by Trixie_b
(Post 8055685)
The other day I got quite upset when a rude and heavily accented african man told me that I have a horrible voice and why couldn't I speak properly, and that I was being lazy talking like I was, with plently of I can't understand you's thrown in there too.
I passed him onto the "Glaze over woman" heheheheh Where the missus used to work, a few folks did things like that to annoying people :D |
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
I've only once had a problem - asking a woman in a shop for some quarters. She didn't get it. I then said twenty five cent pieces. She didn't get it. I then said quarters again. We literally went round and round like this for about two minutes. Eventually I said, 'Change, could I please have some change for this note?' she said, 'Sure, quarters?'
Apart from that, I normally get complimented on my accent. I was born in England, lived there till I was 10, grew up in South Africa, and lived in England again for 7 years, so it is quite clipped and polished. Its come in really handy and I get flirted with outrageously. My only irritation is that EVERYONE knows someone from England, and thinks that I may know them too...... |
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Originally Posted by Clarki
(Post 8055817)
I've only once had a problem - asking a woman in a shop for some quarters. She didn't get it. I then said twenty five cent pieces. She didn't get it. I then said quarters again. We literally went round and round like this for about two minutes. Eventually I said, 'Change, could I please have some change for this note?' she said, 'Sure, quarters?'
Can you turn up on time? Can you not be high on crack? |
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Originally Posted by Titchski
(Post 8047109)
What do you mean "here". I'm from Birmingham, my accent is a problem anywhere outside the West Midlands :D
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Re: Is your accent a problem here?
ay up! Another thick accented Yorkshire man here. I've had to teach myself to slow down and leave long gaps between words to make myself understood. The only time I have real problems now is with Latinos in California understanding me. Quite often in that case we have use a co-worker to translate for me. It may be easier for me to learn Spanish.
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Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Originally Posted by chartreuse
(Post 8055667)
I think you mean Lewis Collins. Martin Shaw was Doyle and Cowley was Gordon Jackson...
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Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Yes and no.
Like alot of others here, I'm often complimented on my accent. Apart from a polite 'thank you' what are you supposed to say? It amazes me it only seems to be an English accent that gets this attention - you can't imagine an American saying 'Gee, that's a real cute German accent you've got there!"! I work in a small office, just me, two American ladies, and our boss, who is also English, but has been here a good while longer than me. My two co-workers asked me why my English accent was different to the boss's, all I could say was that she might have picked up a teensy-weensy bit of an American accent along the way! I do get very frustrated having to repeat myself all the time. I wonder whether it's me mumbling, or if people really have trouble understanding the accent. I'm from the West Country, so you'd think my accent was half-way American already, but no, it still stumps 'em! At the moment at work, we're having to make outgoing calls reminding our members to renew their memberships (which I absolutely hate doing!). Trouble is, whenever I do get to speak to someone, it seems my English accent helps considerably, although I do have to repeat my potted life-story-in-America routine every time! And yes, if I hear the phrase "I've been to England..." followed by a random holiday recollection, I'll go mad! |
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
My husband is working in the mailroom for an International company. He found out through a co-worker that his boss recommended him for a higher position but his bosses boss thought his accent was too thick. He is very upset and I am furious! Now he feels like he will never get a better job .
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Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Originally Posted by Gannett
(Post 8056317)
Yes and no.
Like alot of others here, I'm often complimented on my accent. Apart from a polite 'thank you' what are you supposed to say? It amazes me it only seems to be an English accent that gets this attention - you can't imagine an American saying 'Gee, that's a real cute German accent you've got there!"! I work in a small office, just me, two American ladies, and our boss, who is also English, but has been here a good while longer than me. My two co-workers asked me why my English accent was different to the boss's, all I could say was that she might have picked up a teensy-weensy bit of an American accent along the way! I do get very frustrated having to repeat myself all the time. I wonder whether it's me mumbling, or if people really have trouble understanding the accent. I'm from the West Country, so you'd think my accent was half-way American already, but no, it still stumps 'em! At the moment at work, we're having to make outgoing calls reminding our members to renew their memberships (which I absolutely hate doing!). Trouble is, whenever I do get to speak to someone, it seems my English accent helps considerably, although I do have to repeat my potted life-story-in-America routine every time! And yes, if I hear the phrase "I've been to England..." followed by a random holiday recollection, I'll go mad! |
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Originally Posted by Mallory
(Post 8057222)
That made me wonder what it would be like in the reverse situation. If it were an American man in an office in the UK, would people be fawning all over him, and asking him to say things. Would they say his accent was SO cute? When he did cold calls to Brits to sell memberships, would the American accent be to his benefit? Curious as how this would play out the other way around.
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Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Originally Posted by Mallory
(Post 8057222)
That made me wonder what it would be like in the reverse situation. If it were an American man in an office in the UK, would people be fawning all over him, and asking him to say things. Would they say his accent was SO cute? When he did cold calls to Brits to sell memberships, would the American accent be to his benefit? Curious as how this would play out the other way around.
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Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Originally Posted by Mallory
(Post 8057222)
That made me wonder what it would be like in the reverse situation. If it were an American man in an office in the UK, would people be fawning all over him, and asking him to say things. Would they say his accent was SO cute? When he did cold calls to Brits to sell memberships, would the American accent be to his benefit? Curious as how this would play out the other way around.
I was at a car dealers yesterday and 15 minutes into the conversation the salesman suddenly out of nowhere said in a ridiculous English accent "would you like a spot of tea?". My wife later asked if that often happened and I told her at least once or twice a week. We didn't buy a car from him obviously. |
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Originally Posted by Mallory
(Post 8057222)
That made me wonder what it would be like in the reverse situation. If it were an American man in an office in the UK, would people be fawning all over him, and asking him to say things. Would they say his accent was SO cute? When he did cold calls to Brits to sell memberships, would the American accent be to his benefit? Curious as how this would play out the other way around.
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Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Originally Posted by orangemirror
(Post 8057444)
Also wondering if they get interrupted in the middle of conversations by terrible attempts at American accents. Probably, people can't help being prats all over the world.
I was at a car dealers yesterday and 15 minutes into the conversation the salesman suddenly out of nowhere said in a ridiculous English accent "would you like a spot of tea?". My wife later asked if that often happened and I told her at least once or twice a week. We didn't buy a car from him obviously. |
Re: Is your accent a problem here?
Originally Posted by Poppy girl
(Post 8057462)
Oh Oh :frown: I have had those dim bastards, but I just looked them in the face and said 'do you realise how F...in stupid" you sound, in your case OM I would not try the same reply being a chap lol
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