My 'Silly' Accent

I made it about 15 months without having any conversations about my accent. But now that I've got a job and am encountering more people every day, the conversations and comments have tended to come quite regularly.

From this, I have learned one thing: Australians will go out of their way to avoid insulting a Canadian.

There are a few different beginnings to the conversation I generally have about my accent, but I will use just one example, as I believe it best illustrates my point.

Aussies: Yoouu'rrrrree .......????

At this point, the Aussies know I'm American. They just know it. However, it is also at this point they recall the unpleasant feeling they experienced when they came right out and asked a similarly accented individual if they were American. There is clearly some sense-memory activity happening here beneath the surface, because they seem to wince a little inside. But there they stand with their heads slightly cocked, hoping desperately that I will intercede.

Me: American.

Relief. "I knew it," they might be thinking, happy they were right (albeit on the inside), suddenly nodding confidently. It is now when the exchange starts using more words, as they explain their hesitation.

Aussies: I thought so. You just never know, though. You've got to be careful when you ask someone if they're American. I can't tell you how many times I have asked a Canadian if they're American. They do not like that. Oh, they get so upset and offended. Did you know that? So I don't just come right out and guess anymore. It's dangerous.

By now, there is no holding back. The conversation has careened off the track of my accent and Americanism to the dangers of ruffling Canadian feathers. I listen because there seems to be a lot of emotion in the issue. I smile because it's funny. And I don't take anything personally, as the Aussies continue to discuss the grave mistake of suggesting to a Canadian that he or she is American.

And then there was the time a guy called and said he thought I was someone else putting on a silly accent.

You sort of insulted me just then, I told him in the light-mannered tone in which I meant it. He laughed a little before admitting that he hadn't really realized it till after the fact.

They love us down here.