Does Southern Accent Turn You Off?

[Feelin Frisky]

Generally I can't stand them but individual people make me forget that fact from "tom to tom". I was getting instructed on how to use a TENS device the other day by a sales rep--a very attractive southern lady. She told me not to put the pads on my tays (meaning toes) and if I needed her I could always call her on the phane (phone).

 

My brain has gotten hypersentive over the years to accents and I find being tolerant more and more of a struggle. What-a-you gunna dee with yore loff, work a non to fov job? Move to Warshington?

[Eve]

I don't have an accent, so I really don' know what the hell y'all are talkin' about.

 

There is definately a spiritedness that I like about the Southern accent!

 

In the UK there are VAST differences in dialect. I prefer Northern accents and the people themselves to Southerners anyday. This of course is a generalisation based on preference and as such there are some Southeners who are very lovely indeed.

 

I do think there are different attitudes contained within dialects and I prefer straight forward, say like it is types rather than those who try and carry prestige within their accent based on their locality... as such I am not into toffs. Although, ok, I know a few who are ok - but only because they mix well and don't strive to live off their education entirely.

 

Take care,

Eve x

[cerridwen]

Southern accent = Turn off

 

Dated a guy with a Texas drawl though and it was hot.

Edited June 21, 2011 by cerridwen

[EricaH329]

This is perfect.

 

Edit: Although, those southern accents are a bit more refined.

[SmileFace]

Anything outside of a foreign accent and New York accent is unattractive...to me

[Dorie]

The twangy Southern accents is not unappealing. I would not go as far as to say it is a turn on.

 

I enjoy most American accents, though admit to being mixed on the California sound.

 

Americans draw out their words. Those from California draw them out even more which sounds a bit peculiar to me.

[denise_xo]

This is perfect.

 

Edit: Although, those southern accents are a bit more refined.

 

 

South Carolina is definitely one of my favourites

[oldguy]

Southern accents originated from Old English. You will find many of the old southern terms in Shakespeare.

[EricaH329]

 

South Carolina is definitely one of my favourites

 

I agree! South Carolina was my favorite too! Although, as many have said here already, not everyone from SC sounds like that. That's a bit more of a proper southern accent. There are the 'redneck' accents also, which are usually a turn off to most.

[denise_xo]

I agree! South Carolina was my favorite too! Although, as many have said here already, not everyone from SC sounds like that. That's a bit more of a proper southern accent. There are the 'redneck' accents also, which are usually a turn off to most.

 

Yes, I spent a bit of time there at some point. It was great because everyone sounded so interesting There was a part of me thinking 'is this for real?' I have the same reaction to some Scottish and Welsh variations. They are awesome.

[oldguy]

The southern accent varies from region to region. While I've heard it is primarily British English the are areas of African influence. I've noticed a definite French or probably Quebec/Canadian French influence new the Gulf.

[oldguy]

When I first moved to the south I have to admit I had trouble understanding certain words, now I can tell if someone is from Charlotte or Atlanta & that is more difficult because I've noticed that people from larger Southern cities generally seem to have less of an accent.

[GorillaTheater]

The southern accent varies from region to region. While I've heard it is primarily British English the are areas of African influence. I've noticed a definite French or probably Quebec/Canadian French influence new the Gulf.

 

That's the Cajuns, who started out being the Acadians, until the British kicked then out of eastern Canada. GREAT bunch of folks.

 

Around here, there's a very obvious Spanish/Mexican influence.

 

"Que pasa, Jim Bob, you seen the bob wahr? I need to fix mah fence."

 

"No problemo, Bubba, got some aqui."

[oldguy]

That's the Cajuns, who started out being the Acadians, until the British kicked then out of eastern Canada. GREAT bunch of folks.

 

Around here, there's a very obvious Spanish/Mexican influence.

 

"Que pasa, Jim Bob, you seen the bob wahr? I need to fix mah fence."

 

"No problemo, Bubba, got some aqui."

If you want to irritate a southerner ask him to pronounce "walrus".

[thatone]

That's the Cajuns, who started out being the Acadians, until the British kicked then out of eastern Canada. GREAT bunch of folks.

 

Around here, there's a very obvious Spanish/Mexican influence.

 

"Que pasa, Jim Bob, you seen the bob wahr? I need to fix mah fence."

 

"No problemo, Bubba, got some aqui."

 

people in rural south louisiana have their own phrases even, nevermind accents.

 

a garden hose is a hose pipe.

you don't buy groceries, you make groceries.

you don't stop by, you pass by.

you don't go somewhere, you make a pass.

and since the whole culture revolves around the oldest female who is still able to cook in the family, you don't ask how someone is doing, you ask how's your mom and them. 'and them' covers everyone else worth noting.

[quankanne]

Southern accents originated from Old English. You will find many of the old southern terms in Shakespeare.

 

found a book that talked about that, sent it to a penpal in England who thought it was a hoot. All because of the word "reckon," which my husband uses a lot.

 

I like the southern accent, simply because it's familiar. However, there's the horrible "mommy make it stop" accent that's rednecky and screechy, and then there's the soft, southern accent like my husband's that is like listening to butter melt :love:

 

GT, I'm sure you're quite familiar with the Tex-Mex spoken in your areas and south ... like "va a GüalMart(s)" and so on. I've gotten better living up here, but dang it if I don't start talking with an accent whenever I head to San Antonio or south

[Crusoe]

Is Texas classed as southern? Have only been to America once, travelled a little through the south an ended up working a time on a ranch close to San Antonio. Loved the place, loved the people and loved the accent, especially on the girls. In fact, I'd put Texan girls up there as the best I've known.

[quankanne]

well thank you, sir!

 

not sure how we're classified. Not really "South," though Dallas seems to think it's genteel ... maybe more Southwestern? I tend to think of my state as something that breaks the mold simply because it's so big and so diverse ...

[Disillusioned]

Im not racist or anything. I have spent most of my life in California and thanks to the constant negative portrayal of southern culture in American mainstream media, I cant help but feeling turned off by someone who speaks with a strong southern accent. It makes the speaker somehow comes across as stupid even if she/he is not.

 

You took the words right out of my mouth. I think a Southern accent sounds "hicky" and it brands the person as a rustic.

 

BTW I find Brooklyn and NJ accents just as annoying. My ggm used to talk like that, and she sounded halfway between Bugs Bunny and an inner-city thug.

[Afishwithabike]

LOL, I am not used to American accents too but liked the accent of the character 'Sawyer' from 'LOST' much muchly. I believe that was a Southern accent he was portraying... with his hot self.

 

 

I love Sawyer's accent too.

 

For me the answer would be "it depends". It depends on which southern accent and the person saying it.

There is something sexy about a cute guy with a southern accent calling you "Darlin".

[Star Gazer]

Im not racist or anything.

 

I didn't realize the South was made up of a different race.

 

I find southern accents, particularly those from Texas, to be incredibly sexy!! Ever hear Matthew McConaughey speak?

 

I'm from NorCal, so I'm accent-free.

[SincereOnlineGuy]

That's exactly how I see it too. I don't think many people from here have much of an accent, if one at all.

 

 

 

Hmmmmmmmmm, now why did I think you'd moved to Boston not long ago???

[Lilmisus]

I live in the south, but if you talked to me, you couldn't tell I'm a server, and when I go to greet my tables, I sometimes ask where they're from. I can't tell you how many people say "We're from here, but we can tell you're not! Where are you from?" When I tell them I was born and raised right here, they're in complete shock. I think it has something to do with taking theatre classes, working on different accents, and having the family from New York. I could do a southern accent (it comes out when I'm mad)..I just choose not to.

 

I'm not exactly fond of southern accents though. They just seem lazy to me. But, on the right guy and said the right way, and not too strong, they can be very sexy. But..it really, really depends.

[Crusoe]

I tend to think of my state as something that breaks the mold simply because it's so big and so diverse ...

 

... and friendly, it is a well named place.

 

I am originally a south and east London boy, but there was an attitude, spirit, and at times, a use of language, that made me feel right at home in Texas. Tough and honest.

[thatone]

I think it has something to do with taking theatre classes, working on different accents, and having the family from New York. I could do a southern accent (it comes out when I'm mad)..I just choose not to.

 

 

yes, absolutely. i learned to get rid of mine working in radio for awhile in my younger years, and it was one of the best things i did.

 

one of the best interpersonal skills people can learn, in my opinion, is being able to change your speech to make the other person or people relate to you. it allows you to be comfortable in any conversation with any other person regardless of their background.