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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To once again feel embarrassed to be from Norfolk ?

131 replies

blondegirl1979 · 02/12/2011 20:18

i have been watching 'come dine with me' this week, never seen it before but its filmed in Norwich and I used to work with someone who was on it.

I was born in Norwich to parents from London and have lived here all my life, have always detested the way Norfolk people speak (i actaully dont mean to cause offense, its just my opinion, and obviously not one i go around sharing, its just my 'thing' as it were), its always cringeworthy when someone from Norfolk is being interviewed on tv/radio as it seems that the slowest speaking, thickest accented people are always chosen, almost complete with their tractor and all other stereotypes.

I travel around for my job and noone ever thinks im from Norfolk, which always pleases me (yeah, maybe shallow). Anyway my point is: that bloody chip shop woman makes me ashamed to be from norfolk, she didnt help herslef by coming across as so ignorant 'i dont eat none of that foreign muck' etc etc, and eating a meal before going to someones house becuase she couldnt read the menu ????

In her defense, the other 4 people on the program with her were very educated, non accented people who she kept saying she wasnt comfortable with, and i presume that some dodgy editing had taken place - but even so....... Rant over, she just annoyed me, ive been thinking this all week and now i dont seem to be able to make a concise point. Sorry.

OP posts:
Crabapple99 · 02/12/2011 20:22

Didn't see the programme, but I'm a londoner, and have always thought Norfolk is beautiful, and Norwich people or nice.

IReallyHateMyCat · 02/12/2011 20:24

I love Norwich and think it's brilliant. Isn't Stephen Fry from Norwich? And you got Delia Smith.. can't do better than them in my book :)

Seabright · 02/12/2011 20:24

I'm from Suffolk, rather than Norfolk, but I'm really sad that a lot of my accent has faded away (except when either with my family or when I have been drinking!)

I suspect the programme was edited to make it look that way, just to provide "interest".

Have a look on wikipedia for the pages on East Anglian Accents / Norfolk Accent / Suffolk Accent - might make you nostalgic!

MenopausalHaze · 02/12/2011 20:25

YABU - a bit - because Norfolk doesn't have the monopoly on shit-kicking thickos with views like that!

usualsuspect · 02/12/2011 20:26

Why would you be ashamed of where you come from?

I think thats a snobbish attitude tbh

Seabright · 02/12/2011 20:26

Here are the links for Wikipedia: Suffolk and Norfolk

Original poster
blondegirl1979 · 02/12/2011 20:27

I would like to be clear, im not slagging of norfolk at all, i have lived here for nearly 33 years, and yes, it is everything that the people in the above posts have said. I just personnally cannot bare the accent.

OP posts:
BumWiper · 02/12/2011 20:28

You sound a bit snobby.I love hearing different accents.I have a very strong Kerry accent.

PiousPrat · 02/12/2011 20:28

You made a point. It was that you are an intolerant arse. I concede that usually people save their intolerance for people from outside the area that they have always known, so I applaud you for going the extra mile in your intolerance.

FYI, you probably have a Norwich accent which is why people don't peg you as being from there, since it is just a generic Southern accent. The thick sounding people you referred to probably have a Norfolk accent, which is much broader, varied and has it's own dialect.

squeakytoy · 02/12/2011 20:29

Delia Smith is of welsh origin, born in Surrey...

Kayano · 02/12/2011 20:30

I love accents and dialects

I'm a Geordie Grin YABU

MegBusset · 02/12/2011 20:30

There are stupid/ignorant/bigoted/racist people wherever you go, I met plenty in London, where I lived for 33 years before moving to Norfolk!

Original poster
blondegirl1979 · 02/12/2011 20:40

Megbusset, can i just check - were you refering to me as being stupid/ignorant/bigoted/racist ? As i think that would be a bit strong when all i really did was express a dislike for an accent.
Incidentally, the norfolk accent is the only one i dont like - im not 'accentist'.

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 02/12/2011 20:42

Im with you blondegirl I live in Norfolk but was brought up in London till I was 10 and I too hate the Norfolk accent particularly when portrayed in the media Look East ALWAYS seems to find citizens with the thickest accents to interview, the ones who have to put a huge emphasis on every vowel.

LEttletownofBOFlehem · 02/12/2011 20:43

Try being from Liverpool while they screen garbage like Desperate Scousewives...

MarkStretch · 02/12/2011 20:45

I live in Norwich. I hate the Norfolk accent and make a point of my children not aquiring it. It is my opinion that no matter how intelligent you are, the Norfolk accent will always make you sound as thick as shit.

Delia lives in Suffolk but owns Norwich City Football Club. A fact that doesn't sit well with my die hard Canary husband.

(I love Norwich by they way, wouldn't want to live anywhere else).

Original poster
blondegirl1979 · 02/12/2011 20:45

Lettletown: i hadnt thought of that...i imagine that some people in essex probable feel like that about towie !

OP posts:
Feminine · 02/12/2011 20:45

I love accents...I particularly love the way the UK has so many! :)

YABU.

microcow · 02/12/2011 20:47

i watched cdwm this week and i thought she was great, the other contestants were ultra poncey

you're being a little mean and odd quite frankly, do you want everyone to speak with the same english accent?

bethelbeth · 02/12/2011 20:47

Try being from Glasgow. We always seem to sound like we're ready to stab people with our voices!

LEttletownofBOFlehem · 02/12/2011 20:47

I knew I'd end up as Lettletown Grin. Please, call me BOF or LeBof Smile

Pinkjenny · 02/12/2011 20:50

BOF - I made it to the first ad break and then I felt dirty and had to delete it from the Sky+

I don't know anyone that talks like that, either.

Dawndonnathatchristmasiscoming · 02/12/2011 20:50

I'm with the OP to some extent. I can't bear it when people tell me they driv round the city, or they writ a letter. They go for a pint of bear, in Norwich!
(There are no spelling mistakes in the above)!

microcow · 02/12/2011 20:51

can you move? Grin

Esta3GG · 02/12/2011 20:57

It is a horrible accent - partly because the grammar is so out of whack -all that "he don't do that do he" business. And all those upward inflections at the end.

It is certainly the unfriendliest county I have ever had the misfortune to spend time in - but incredibly beautiful in parts. And Norwich is wonderful.

My DP says there is thick and then there is Norfolk thick - a whole new level of thickness.