The American accent is really annoying.

[hercules]

Is this racist? My mum would like to know!

Most Brits don't mention my accent to me, except sometimes, in a gentle "that's not going away, is it?" sort of way. The same way they'd say "your leg isn't going to grow back, is it?".

This woman sounds very annoying.

twiglett! I cant imagine my mum saying that!
I said the thing about different races too.

I agree it's rude. And also rather stupid as there are many different American accents. Like British accents, whether or not you like them is just a matter of taste. Whether or not you mention it is a matter of good manners ( or not).

Can't quite believe that your mum has managed to stay on good terms - that's horribly offensive. No matter what one thinks, can you imagine turning round to your English/Scottish/Irish/Welsh friend and saying I think the way you speak is annoying? No racist but completely out of order esp in a work situation - no one would tolerate someone either saying to them or to another that they find fat/old/hairy/whatever 'types' annoying. My accent is very out of place where I am and given that I am a stranger in a strange place I would be really upset if someone said I find your accent annoying. Maybe I'm just over-sensitive.

there was an interesting debate on the radio on monday about accents - it was a bbc station.

i have has many things said about my accent most of all people think i am very "provincial" and obviously too stupid to understand what they mean my "provincial".

i agree it would be rude to say out loud to the person in question but shes entitled to an opinion non the less

custy, they've been doing Voices on several BBC stations, I've heard some fantastic bits at odd times.

herc, saying "the American accent" is just ignorant (as well as rude!) Some accents from most places can be irritating - some are lovely to listen to - the woman your mum works with is just narrow-eared

lol JanH!

Isn't it a bit strange, though, that 'racism' is being misattributed like this? As if you can't object to someone being a class A twit without having to establish that their comments are racist, in some way? Your mother's colleague is just rude.

And anyone who says it's horrible has never heard a true New Orleans, Carolinas, Georgian or Virginian accent. Cuz they are smooth as Tennessee whiskey and sweet as California wine . . .

You old romantic, expat.

NQC - LOL at "it's not going away is it"! I can't believe people are so rude as to assume you would want to lose your accent.

Kbear of Sarf London

When I first moved down south, my boyfriend's parents thought it was really funny to write 'edam ranggggg' whenever I called up and he wasn't in. Just because I actually pronounced the g on the end of the flipping word!

And I get the opposite - people looking at me suspiciously and saying 'you don't sound like you come from Yorkshire'. Like we all have broad accents and wear flat caps and keep whippets. Personally think Yorkshire accents are lovely but rich dialect isn't actually compulsory!

KBear, I'm not that bothered when people say that. They mean well. And I like the politeness of it ... it's always mentioned very delicately, in a soft comiserating sort of voice. They clearly pity me, that I will never know the wonderfullness of being actually British. (I enjoy the bizarre exemption from all normal rules that my accent gives me, franky. You can do anything in London with a Canadian accent and people will forgive you.)

I hate the sound of mixed North American/British accents, but of course mine is a tiny bit mixed. British people say I sound entirely foreign, but Canadians are suddenly telling me I'm talking funny.

I have an extremely pronounced Somerset accent, (I say gert! that's rare even there these days!), and yes I'd be hurt if someone didn't like my accent. it's not as if I can change it is it? I wouldn't want to think I was annoying someone after all. It's very obvious now I am in Wales, but no-one has yet been rude enough to comment.

Funny thing is though, If I try and control it for long, I get mistaken as an American. ?????