Question: Does the way we speak have any baring on what people think of us? Does it affect their opinion of what we do? Does it give the wrong impression? Can it be a distraction?
The answers to all of the above questions are I believe, important. Yes, no, maybe so… everyone has their own answers. I recently came in contact with a friend who speaks with such a thick Southern drawl, that I could barely understand a word of what she said, even though she speaks English extremely well and has a stellar vocabulary. <grin> (as a sidenote, I believe the only word to describe a vocabulary that is extensively used by a person is: stellar”.) Then the very next day, I was talking with a friend who has a very thick Northern accent, and the very same thing happened! I struggle to imagine what each would go through if they ever met. <grimace>
The other side of this is, of course, do people think you’re stupid if you talk with a Southern “twang”? Some people say yes, some say no, but the fact is, with some people, one word can change their opinion of you. Imagine: you see someone stride into a 17 story office building, glide across the marble floors, each footstep echoing to the high ceiling above, dressed in an Oxford suit, Rolex watch, Brooks Brothers highly polished shoes, and a silk tie, hair slicked back, the aroma of his Ralph Lauren cologne permeating throughout the hall. He reaches the receptionist’s desk and casually leans on the counter. But when he asks for something with such a deep South “hick” accent… the impression can be fatal. The receptionist’s face falls. She asks him to repeat what he said, again… and again… and again. The same can be said with someone from the North, but I being born and raised by New-Yorkan parents, have a bit of a bias. I honestly don’t have a preference, I think both can be overwhelming at times, I think both can be very attractive, and I think both can come from the mouth of a very dear friend.
On the other hand, in any setting, when you’re holding a conversation with someone with any kind of accent, (for sake of example let’s use Northern) and you find yourself staring at their mouth, struggling to hold yourself back from correcting how they say “forward” (barrel, forest, coffee, chocolate, etc), then you can see how an accent can be a bit of a distraction. It borders on rude if you continue to a) correct them b) ignore the correction.
So, all that to say, in the last few days I’ve been thinking *a lot* about accents and stuff. I guess everyone has their own opinion, but that’s mine, and yes… I do say “chocolate”: CHAW-clit.
M.fs
