My hubby and I were at a rest stop about 2 weeks ago, and hubby talked briefly to two men. They were brown skinned, and hubby thought they were hispanic, but the man I heard had a very definite accent like someone from the ME....I used to tutor ESL back in the 80s, and worked with a lot of people from arabic speaking areas: Egypt, Syria, and such, as well as with people from Pakistan, Iran and a few from Afghanistan...and this accent sounded much more like that than any Hispanic person.
What this told me is that a lot of people not familiar really don't know the difference at a glance or in a casual conversation.
Now, I will admit, hubby is a little hard of hearing, but it was absolutely clear to my ear!
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Currents/Content?oid=oid%3A60078
PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2004:
Other Than Mexicans
Are terrorists entering the United States through Arizona's border with Mexico? This question is getting a lot of media attention--so we sent Leo W. Banks to the border to find out what the buzz is all about.
I have a pretty good ear for accents as well, I know what you mean.