British Accent
Mar 10th 2004 | 8:43 am
#31
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,894
The worst I ever had was someone asking me if my accent was German... I would not mind, but one of his supervisors has a Kent accent, not too far from my Hampshire lilt.
Mar 10th 2004 | 8:44 am
#32
Pagan Sex God
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,668
From: Living in Oblivion
1. Never been confused with an australian - they have squinty eyes anyway!
2. Get a few compliments but mostly people don't understand what I am saying.
3. People have a tendency to say "Harry Potta" when I am around
4. Someone last night was taking the rip out of me for saying aliminium because he thought I couldn't pronounce aluminum - I had to point out that it wasn't a speech impediment but the way we pronounce it in blighty. I hope he remembers that when he regains consciesnence.
5. It annoys me when people don't understand what I say and just give me anything! This has happened in Dunkin Donuts and a few other places. In DD I asked for an extra large coffee and got a french vanilla coffee!
6. There are so many brits in the small town I am in I am not a novelty.
Patrick
2. Get a few compliments but mostly people don't understand what I am saying.
3. People have a tendency to say "Harry Potta" when I am around
4. Someone last night was taking the rip out of me for saying aliminium because he thought I couldn't pronounce aluminum - I had to point out that it wasn't a speech impediment but the way we pronounce it in blighty. I hope he remembers that when he regains consciesnence.
5. It annoys me when people don't understand what I say and just give me anything! This has happened in Dunkin Donuts and a few other places. In DD I asked for an extra large coffee and got a french vanilla coffee!
6. There are so many brits in the small town I am in I am not a novelty.
Patrick
Mar 10th 2004 | 1:27 pm
#33
Howling at the Moon
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,742
From: Incline Village, NV
Originally posted by jan_michigan
After the usual "are you English?" or "you're not from around here are you?" it usually prompts people to tell me how their ancestors were also English. I'm beginning to think the Mayflower was the worlds first super-cruise liner !!!
Jan
After the usual "are you English?" or "you're not from around here are you?" it usually prompts people to tell me how their ancestors were also English. I'm beginning to think the Mayflower was the worlds first super-cruise liner !!!
Jan
Ya'll think you have problems?
Try having an Irish accent!
St Paddy's day is coming - the ******' WORLD is Irish apparently and I am hiding under a rock.
Oh and apparently most of the male population here has had an Irish gf here and is looking for another one.......
I wonder if it was all the same woman?? :scared:
Mar 10th 2004 | 1:35 pm
#34
Howling at the Moon
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,742
From: Incline Village, NV
Originally posted by manc1976
Yes, but only to maim.
Yes, but only to maim.
Don't break it.
It BITES
I just had some news yesterday. My son went on holiday skiing to Italy and now has an Essex girl for a gf.
Heaven preserve us........
Mar 11th 2004 | 12:53 am
#35
Blindside Fumbler
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 967
From: Tampa
Originally posted by dolydd
The amount of times I have been out for dinner and when asked what i want to drink said 'water' had the waitress look at me funny and say, 'sorry we dont have that'
Every time we go out and eat, being a proper northerner I want bread with my meal, I always have to get the wife to ask for it as they can never understand me.
Best line I have heard about the accent:
American: Oh I love your accent are you from Australia
Me: no, Wales
American: Well near enough!
The amount of times I have been out for dinner and when asked what i want to drink said 'water' had the waitress look at me funny and say, 'sorry we dont have that'
Every time we go out and eat, being a proper northerner I want bread with my meal, I always have to get the wife to ask for it as they can never understand me.
Best line I have heard about the accent:
American: Oh I love your accent are you from Australia
Me: no, Wales
American: Well near enough!
Mar 11th 2004 | 3:37 am
#36
Just around the next bend
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,276
From: Missouri
Originally posted by GJB
I had this one woman, really thick she was, asked me *really* slowly "W-h-e-r-e a-r-e y-o-u f-r-o-m?"... "I'm from England" I said. She looks at me all surprised "Oh, you speak English then?"... I couldn't help but laugh as I slowly replied "A little bit"..!!
Another guy I once spoke to also asked me where I was from. I said England and he said "That's near London isn't it?"...
Best
Gary
I had this one woman, really thick she was, asked me *really* slowly "W-h-e-r-e a-r-e y-o-u f-r-o-m?"... "I'm from England" I said. She looks at me all surprised "Oh, you speak English then?"... I couldn't help but laugh as I slowly replied "A little bit"..!!
Another guy I once spoke to also asked me where I was from. I said England and he said "That's near London isn't it?"...
Best
Gary
Debbie
Mar 11th 2004 | 3:59 am
#37
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 131
From: London
Originally posted by dbark
LOL, one saleswoman asked me, in all seriousness, how I travelled to the US. "Did you have to FLY over?" she asked, incredulous. I was ever-so-tempted to tell a fib .....
Debbie
LOL, one saleswoman asked me, in all seriousness, how I travelled to the US. "Did you have to FLY over?" she asked, incredulous. I was ever-so-tempted to tell a fib .....
Debbie
Mar 11th 2004 | 4:03 am
#38
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,082
Originally posted by doctor scrumpy
The worst I ever had was someone asking me if my accent was German... I would not mind, but one of his supervisors has a Kent accent, not too far from my Hampshire lilt.
The worst I ever had was someone asking me if my accent was German... I would not mind, but one of his supervisors has a Kent accent, not too far from my Hampshire lilt.
Mar 11th 2004 | 4:53 am
#39
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,113
From: Arizona
Originally posted by lairdside
HA!
Ya'll think you have problems?
Try having an Irish accent!
St Paddy's day is coming - the ******' WORLD is Irish apparently and I am hiding under a rock.
HA!
Ya'll think you have problems?
Try having an Irish accent!
St Paddy's day is coming - the ******' WORLD is Irish apparently and I am hiding under a rock.
I had the water(wadder) problem just last week at the baseball. I had to ask twice for a bottle because the guy didnt understand what I just said. I sometimes have the same problem ordering burgers. My wife just sits there laughing.
Mar 11th 2004 | 5:43 am
#40
Essex Girl
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 64
From: me-UK / him-US
Originally posted by lairdside
OYE!
Don't break it.
It BITES
I just had some news yesterday. My son went on holiday skiing to Italy and now has an Essex girl for a gf.
Heaven preserve us........
OYE!
Don't break it.
It BITES
I just had some news yesterday. My son went on holiday skiing to Italy and now has an Essex girl for a gf.
Heaven preserve us........
Mar 11th 2004 | 5:56 am
#41
You Are All Diseased
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,511
From: Farnham, UK
I get complimented for my Austin Powers impression. Then they realise I am really from England and ask me what "Shat on a turtle" means (watch Goldmember to know what the heck I'm talking about).
When I first moved here, I would never talk in stores, I would just nod politely and smile. Now it doesn't bother me. I still have my UK driving license so I get a kick every time I buy beer and cigarettes and they stare at my ID for around 3 minutes.
Then they realise I am really from England and ask me what "Shat on a turtle" means (watch Goldmember to know what the heck I'm talking about).When I first moved here, I would never talk in stores, I would just nod politely and smile. Now it doesn't bother me. I still have my UK driving license so I get a kick every time I buy beer and cigarettes and they stare at my ID for around 3 minutes.
Mar 11th 2004 | 6:49 am
#42
Just around the next bend
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,276
From: Missouri
Originally posted by Expat_Wannabe
What's the most stupid thing you've been asked about Britain? I can't remember all of mine, but thought it was odd to ask whether we got ATMs and corn on the cob?!?
What's the most stupid thing you've been asked about Britain? I can't remember all of mine, but thought it was odd to ask whether we got ATMs and corn on the cob?!?
Debbie
Mar 11th 2004 | 9:10 am
#43
spiggle meister
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 103
From: Manchester-Surrey-Coventry-Hampshire-West Yorkshire, now Woodland Hills,CA!
The stupidest thing I have was a guy in Staples asking me for Californian ID. I explained I was British and only just moved here and the only ID I had was my passport. He looked at for ages then said but this isn't even American, never mind Californian. Again I said yes thats because I am not American, he looked again and said but this passport is foriegn...
Also was asked in the DMV isn't driving in the USA is the same as the UK, I replied no, we drive on the other side of the road, "Reeeeally??" was the reply. Plus most of our cars have gears, "reeeaally?" Ahh it was a long day...
Have also been told I am totally British whatever that means and asked if I was Australian too!
Also was asked in the DMV isn't driving in the USA is the same as the UK, I replied no, we drive on the other side of the road, "Reeeeally??" was the reply. Plus most of our cars have gears, "reeeaally?" Ahh it was a long day...
Have also been told I am totally British whatever that means and asked if I was Australian too!
Mar 11th 2004 | 9:17 am
#44
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 79,390
From: East Seaxe
Originally posted by Expat_Wannabe
What's the most stupid thing you've been asked about Britain? I can't remember all of mine, but thought it was odd to ask whether we got ATMs and corn on the cob?!?
What's the most stupid thing you've been asked about Britain? I can't remember all of mine, but thought it was odd to ask whether we got ATMs and corn on the cob?!?
1) "What language do they speak there then?"
2) "Can you tell me what times the buses run from Oxford to Cambridge?"
Mar 11th 2004 | 11:50 am
#45
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16
From: San Francisco
Re: British Accent
Originally posted by Caligirl4ever
Hi Everyone!
Now that my DH and step-daughter (15 yrs old) will be moving from the UK to California, I'd like to know how often do you get complimented on your British Accent?
What do the folks in the States typically say?
Thanks a bunch for responding.... ;-)
Warmly,
Cali
Hi Everyone!
Now that my DH and step-daughter (15 yrs old) will be moving from the UK to California, I'd like to know how often do you get complimented on your British Accent?
What do the folks in the States typically say?
Thanks a bunch for responding.... ;-)
Warmly,
Cali
I'll only substitute words & phrases that the Yanks just don't have in their vocabulary. I'm not defiant, it's just that the "accent" comes in handy more than it's a pain in the arse. Of course I have to repeat myself many times just for a glass of water ( "worta" and not "wadduuuuuur" ) and when talking to any other (il)legal alien whose mother tongue is definitely not English/American we might as well use sign language. I get many many Manuel ( Fawlty Towers ) moments in stores -- <puzzled look> Que ?The girls love it and .... well there's isn't really another point !!
If I get commented on my accent I usually inform them that I don't have an accent, but that they do. Doesn't go down too well sometimes but what the hell.
Tally-Ho & Chin-Chin !!
Mark
