Being from Upstate NY, they weren't too happy about the question."
No, we grow up with it and never stop using it. It's so much more pleasing to the ear than a New Yawk honk.
A few years back, I was doing some shopping, and the cashier was a Yankee. Misguided as many of them are, she told me that my "accent" wasn't really that pronounced compared to some she'd heard---see, she thought she was giving me a compliment.
I assumed an expression of concern and responded, "Thank you for telling me. I'll definitely have to work on that."
Poor thing...she looked completely confused.
Agreed. Can’t stand to hear the New York accent. Gag.
ping to a fellow Bubba
#8
It’s just that in the southern lexicon, “damnyankee” is one word...
Biggest problem I had with accents (not really a problem, just needed to figure out a work-around) is figuring out the distinction between a "pen" and a "pin". There's a difference. :-) But, they're pronounced exactly the same in my neck of the woods. I solved my problem by asking, "A Writin' Pen? Or a Stick Pin?". Solved.
That, and people (particularly older ladies, for some reason) pronounce my name "Beale". There is no 'eale' in 'Bill'. But when some sweet little old lady at the church picnic wants to call me that, I'm far too polite to correct her. Especially if she has sweet potato pie, which is a delicacy that I've gotten used to, real quick. :-)