To get annoyed when people say you don't sound like you're from X

[plebblep]

My area has a well known, parodied accent, that is usually quite strong.

I do not have this accent, I sound "plain", but certainly do have hints of the local. I went to Oxbridge and now live in London.

Both my parents were educated, and only some older members of the family have the accent. Otherwise, my family is very upper middle, and so for historic reasons do not possess the accent.

Am I being unreasonable to get annoyed when people say "You don't sound like you're from ...." It is as if people don't believe I'm from that area! Or as if one is expected to be a walking caricature!

How do you react to similar comments?

Oh you poor thing.

I get this. I'm from Glasgow. I dont live there any more and people are always surprised I don't sound like Rab C.

And then there's the one colleague who keeps asking me about fried Mars Bars. No, I have never had one, seen one or wanted one.

From australia, don't have any accent, people always comment on it

Doesn't bother me in the slightest

Don't really know what accent I do have though, people also don't believe I'm "from" London

When I was a kid in Australia with Scottish parents I had a Scottish/Australian hybrid accent

I get this. I think it's harmless conversation to be honest. I mean it's true isn't it? You don't sound like people from that area.

I wouldn't be sympathetic but knowing that you went to (draws in deep breath) Oxbridge all those mean people should be bowing to you and tugging their forelocks rather than commenting on your accent. It must be a terrible burden.

I'm from Newcastle and I always get told that I don't have the accent...that is until I get annoyed or have a drink

" Education instils an accent"

lol

"Education instils an accent*

But not manners.

I work in higher education so I know lots and lots of very highly educated people. Quite a few of these people have regional accents.

I will make sure I tell them that unless they're pure RP, they are really letting the side down...

Frustrated I'm a Glaswegian living in England, and I get exactly the same comments about deep fried Mars Bars. I'd never heard of them until I moved to England!

Yes. People are just trying to make conversation. Get over it.

I come from an area with an accent as well that some people seem to associate with being stupid. I don’t have the accent either and I always get the feeling people mean it as a compliment when they point that out. I do think as a PP said it is small talk. But I don’t like the implication. I am offended on behalf of my area which was an amazing city to grow up and full of intelligent, creative, kind people speaking in the local accent and not.

My parents were from the area, went to grammar school and uni. Dad is from immigrant parents so they didn’t have the local accent and they both worked in professional roles where perhaps they mixed with more people from other cities?

Whenever someone says I don’t sound like I am from there, it reminds me of the kids at school who said I was ‘posh’. I was shy and had my parents accents (which were in no way RP or proper plum in mouth stuff) so maybe I came across as snobbish.

So bleurgh. It might be small talk but I kind of wish people would subsititute with ‘I’ve never been, what is good to see in the city?’ Or whatever.

Terrible shame that that they don't know you're upper middle class.

I hear you. I'm welsh (was born there and lived there for my whole childhood) but don't have a welsh accent. I've been accused of lying about being welsh before now

Honestly the fried mars bar thing is just so fucking done.

Prob because people are genuinely surprised, I'm sure when you explain just how educated and "upper middle" you are, unlike the peasants from your hometown, they'll understand perfectly fine

There are bigger things to be worried about

Have to say, after years of pelters from my (very lovely) English friends, I finally decided to see what the fuss was about with a deep fried mars bar.

Why the pluperfect fuck anyone would enjoy eating it beyond me. Minging.

Now, a roll and pie from the chippy....

I hear you OP, my accent is a fucked up mish mash of different areas in Scotland and I get scunnered with people asking if I’m from x, y or z.

No.

Oh dear this moved on while I was typing.

Education does not instill an accent (unless it is specific elocution training I suppose). But people’s accents do change depending on who they are talking to and when people from all over the country mix at university I think it is natural for their accents to mix. Not for everyone. Some people seem to keep their original accents while others change who knows why. And accent is in the ear of the beholder anyway isn’t it? A friend went to the states for 6months study. When she came back she had an American accent (to my ear). But her American classmates all thought she had a strong English accent.

@yetalkshitehen I think you mean a Wigan kebab no?!!

It's far more insulting when people assume an education level based on an accent

I get people saying 'where do you come from?' because I seem to have a weird accent that no-one can place. And there's no reason for me even having an odd accent

Jeanclaudejackety what kind of pie do they use in Wigan? I’m curious now!

We have a scotch pie (or just a pie as it’s known usually) or a steak pie. Buttery morning roll and brown sauce. Ah a heart attack on a roll but it’s so good!

Haha, try getting: "You don't look Brazilian, you are too white."