Accented English and geography

[ftah3]

John Walton wrote:
> Me (buying something/talking about something): Blah blah.
> 
> Person: Oh, I *love* that accent!
> 
> Me: Thank you.
> 
> Person: Are you from Ireland?
> 
> Me: No, I'm a New Yorker but my accent is from England.
> 
> Person: England...is that in Ireland?
> 
> Me: No, England is part of Britain.
> 
> Person: Is *that* in Ireland?
> 
> Me: No, but it's nearby. Kinda like New York and Pennsylvania.
> 
> Person: Oh. So they're like different states?
> 
> Me: Yep, except actually different countries. Like America and 
Canada, but
> smaller.
> Person: Wow, I had no idea.

*falling over* Ohhhhh no.  That's so horrible and sad!  And very very 
very funny (says the coffee I nearly spewed out my nose).

> Heh. Of course, I experience the same thing in Europe: "Is Oregon 
near NY? I
> have an internet friend in Oregon!"

When I tell people (American, Scottish, & German, so far) that I'm 
originally from Iowa (midwestern USA), I'm often subsequently 
introduced to their friends as so: "This is Dana, she's from [pick 
one: Ohio/Idaho/...um, where did you say?]."  Not half as bad as what 
you describe, but entertaining.  I think that Iowa is the US's best 
kept secret, really....

Mahoney
Iowa-luver