VDOT (Virginia DOT) implemented a voice-response system on their 511 line.
One day I called it and I said “agent” (to speak to a human) in my normal northern accent. “I’m sorry, we didn’t understand you”.
I tried again. Same thing.
Finally, I got fed up and tried saying “agent” in a really exaggerated Southern accent.
It went right through.
When in Rome...