1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Foreign accents in vegas

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by TOWNSVILLE, Apr 27, 2015.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. TOWNSVILLE

    TOWNSVILLE Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2015
    Messages:
    464
    Location:
    TOWNSVILLE,AUSTRALIA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    TY31088 replied to my post regarding the bus service in Vegas.The point made was that l would have more interaction with the locals because of my Australian accent.This is 100% correct,no matter where l was or what l was doing, l seemed to bring attention to myself when l spoke.:confused2:At the Blackjack tables l even had Poms amused by my accent?Go figure.l can assure you that the American accent is enjoyed here in Australia, when you visit us.What really amused me when l was there, was when a Texan told me he liked my accent(the missus and l had a great laugh at that):evillaugh Accent or not,you Americans made us feel so welcome whilst there,can't thank you all enough.Any comments from other Nationalities regarding your experiences?:wave:
     
  2. Valgal

    Valgal VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2014
    Messages:
    5,302
    Location:
    South
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    Accents do make for interesting conversations. My husband and I are both from Texas -- accents in Texas vary - the farther north and east you go the more pronounced the "drawl" is. When my mom leaved in East Texas I could always tell we were getting closer to the Louisiana border. I joked about the bigger trees, less teeth, and the cajun/texas accent mix.

    Last trip we ate at The Cheesecake Factory in the Forum. Some of the seating is really close together with other tables. The couple next to us heard my husband and I talking and struck up a conversation. They said they could tell that we were from Texas. They were from Texarakana and now living in Utah. We exchanged some funny conversations about being from Texas and how we were the "normal, friendly" people and everyone else was different. LOL
     
  3. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2006
    Messages:
    8,343
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    TOWNSVILLE , my nephew just returned from a two week business trip to Melbourne, he was treated well over there, so thanks back at 'ya.
     
  4. Piggylane

    Piggylane Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2013
    Messages:
    679
    Location:
    Quabbin Reservoir, MA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    159
    Some people, like me of Irish descent, are given the "gift of gab" and when I hear a "foreign accent" I try to place it. I have yet to travel to Austrailia - it is on my list! - but have traveled in Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa and really enjoy learning about other people, if they wish to share!

    Unfortunately I've found Las Vegas to be one of those places where folks from outside the U.S. tend to be quiet. At the tables many just want to concentrate on their play and not speak at all. I can certainly understand that and tend to do the same. I don't think a gaming table is as much a social event as many here do but at restaurants, bars and just hanging around I find many folks to not be as friendly nor talkative in Vegas. The U.S. born folks sure are, but not so much the others and command of the English language doesn't matter so much when you are having a good time.

    My Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, Icelandic, Dutch, Swedish and Afrikaans skills (sum up to 0.00001) didn't matter when I partied with the locals in their countries. They had a blast with my Boston accent (I don't have one, I just faked it) and we just kept drinking.

    I love running into Brits as I've been there many times. I tell them how horrified I am of their pubs. Great bitters but dried hops hanging all over the ceiling, no sprinklers and doors that open inward? A fire hazard! Or Canadians (I'm 1/4th) where I tell them I've visited every border Province and still think, honestly, Tim Horton makes a better donut than Dunkin Donuts. Or the Germans where I tell them about driving on the autobahn in Bavaria at 142 mph at 3 am. Only to be informed that the unlimited speed limit on that stretch is only during the day (how do you say oops?)

    Yes, we Americans have accents too and like Townsville says they love ours in his country.

    Regardless of a person's origin, they may feel a bit uncomfortable here in the U.S. Different cars, sights, sounds, smells, food, water. Last week I had our Sales Director for Russia with me and we both were in Houston. I took him to Galveston Island one afternoon. This was only the second time in his life he had ever seen the ocean, except when flying. His English was 98% perfect, accent free. He speaks six languages, probably all accent free. Most in Europe speak multiple languages fluently, Many American kids graduating High School are at the eighth Grade level in English (only).

    Welcome our "foreign friends" and have a blast with them, learn a few words of their language too! I can swear at the porn slippers in eight languages as the result of my travels!
     
  5. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2013
    Messages:
    11,356
    Location:
    Southern Maryland by way of Philadelphia
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    At a Blackjack table in Mirage, I struck up a conversation with a British guy. He said he was from Liverpool. After a bit, I told him he sounded just like Ringo. He looked at me sort of oddly and said "Yeah, everyone from Liverpool does." We looked at each other for a second and then busted up laughing. Without the audio, this doesn't make much sense, but it was hilarious when it happened.
     
  6. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2008
    Messages:
    17,827
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    130
    I can picture that conversation and yes, see that it would have been hilarious. I find it amusing when I'm told I have an accent when in the States. Canadian eh!
     
  7. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2006
    Messages:
    8,343
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    I do business with several Canadian suppliers from Montreal, Toronto, and Calgary; I notice the difference. For example, the phrase "out and about" sounds like "oat and aboat". In my neck of the woods, the word "project", the vowel "o" is short and sounds like "praject" but up north the "o" is long and sounds like "pro - ject". Plus folks from Calgary say "perfect" a lot. As in "we will ship your order tomorrow, OK? Perfect!". Can't think of anything specific to folks from Montreal, but their French accent is different from the one in Europe. Generally, they are a bit aloof and less gregarious, your mileage may vary.

    All great folks though, at my last job I tended to hang with the Canadians more than my fellow colleagues from the lower 48.
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2015
  8. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2003
    Messages:
    29,787
    Location:
    A nice place
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    110
    Trying to explain blackjack, while playing, to the limited-English, Czech-speaking wife of a colleague, at a casino in Mesquite ... priceless.
     
  9. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2012
    Messages:
    3,414
    I'm in London now and whatever American accent I have has never come across as exotic here.

    But then again an English accent isn't really exotic in NY either.

    Maybe I should try unleashing the Jersey accent I've always tried to hide. :wink2:
     
  10. Terry Benedict

    Terry Benedict VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2010
    Messages:
    1,658
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    Do we sound smarter or dumber when you enjoy us in Australia?
    I ask because us stereotyping Americans think British people are smart because of their accent. Go figure.
    An Aussie accent makes them fun.
     
  11. Corinne

    Corinne Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2012
    Messages:
    811
    Location:
    Bucks, UK
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    I frequently get asked if I'm Australian when in Vegas (I'm British). In Laughlin last year I was at the cashier in the casino. I had to repeat my request four times. Finally she said 'honey I heard you properly first time, I just wanted you to keep talking'. Everyone loves to hear it but really my accent sounds nothing like Australian. It got so repetitve last year we even thought of having badges made saying, English, not Australian. You guys are always so friendly though and for that I thank you for making us feel so welcome. I have never had as many people start a conversation with me as when I was carrying a Marks and Spencer bag. Lots of you must know this as a UK store.
     
  12. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2004
    Messages:
    4,849
    Location:
    Cumbria, UK and Alicante region, Spain
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    34
    Corinne, where are you from? I'm from the north west and am always surprised to be mistaken for Australian. It happens all the time, so we are never surprised. It's more surprising when someone asks if we are English these days.

    We live in the Lake District National Park, (google it), and are used to tourists from all over the world. I'm getting better at recognising different American accents, but I have a long way to go.
     
  13. Corinne

    Corinne Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2012
    Messages:
    811
    Location:
    Bucks, UK
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    I'm from Buckinghamshire, 45 minutes north of London, 25 minutes from Heathrow. I'm amazed they think the Scottish accent is Australian. What a beautiful place you live in. I'm in the middle of The Chilterns which is lovely but nothing compared to your location. We took the kids to the Lake District when they were little and then to Blackpool as we thought they would be bored in The Lake District. They hated Blackpool and wanted to go back to The Lake District. I was surprised.
     
  14. schmalen1

    schmalen1 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2013
    Messages:
    136
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6
    As a german with my school english, I must have a really bad accent, eventhough I try to speak my best oxford english as possible. ;)
    I'm really really thankfull to all of you US-guys being so helpfull, even when some words are missing or just lost in translation or when I have to ask twice... or more times. :nworthy:

    Almost everyone seems to be happy to talk to a german, or has been there or relatives where here in the army. Some even thanked me for visiting the US.
    Well... but... maybe... here in an US-forum... someone maybe can explain it to me... why have about 90% of you the habit... to SHOUT the few german words they know right into my face??? :wiggle:

    The funniest thing about accents happened to me two years ago at a table game. A guy starts to chat with me. We had some serious issues with understanding each other, but a girl, sitting right in the middle of us was so nice to translate... his words to me, not the other way. She explains he was coming from the south, MS or AL I guess, and believe me, it sounds nice, but I even couldn't tell you if was english or something else. :beer:
     
  15. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2011
    Messages:
    19,795
    Location:
    Somewhere in Middle America
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    70
    Canadians definitely have an accent, as do those of us who speak American Broadcast English. :) :) :)

    I also notice a similar accent when listening to people from Minnesooooota, some parts of Wisconsin, and Youpper Michigan. :)
     
  16. northerngirl

    northerngirl High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2007
    Messages:
    813
    Location:
    Northern Minnesota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    When my group of sisters are there, we are always asked specifically if we are from Minnesota. To us, we really believe we sound like most others at the table. Appareently, something about some of the vowels. And of the three of us, my "accent" stands out the most.....maybe because I am the oldest? People love when we say words like sauna, trout, etc.

    I always ask folks where they are from.....accents are so interesting.....and always a good conversation starter.
     
  17. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2013
    Messages:
    11,356
    Location:
    Southern Maryland by way of Philadelphia
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    I don't know how many times I have heard "So what part of Philly are you from?" after just a few words have come out of my mouth. I do the same thing to other Philadelphians.
     
  18. TOWNSVILLE

    TOWNSVILLE Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2015
    Messages:
    464
    Location:
    TOWNSVILLE,AUSTRALIA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    Australians love the Americans,Poms,well l just don't know.Intellect,you did put a man on the moon,Poms,well maybe pork pies.You be the judge.Just joking to anyone that wants to take this too serious.
     
  19. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2003
    Messages:
    29,787
    Location:
    A nice place
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    110
    We have family in Olinda. I love to get my America-chiding brother-in-law going by telling him Oz is America with backwards-flushing toilets. We're all descendants of miscreants unfit for life under god, queen and the rule of law. We both brutally displaced a native population. Each of us have a coastline nation with a lot of head-scratching stuff in the middle. Our mainstream beers all suck but damn can we all make great wine. Sure, we're far more wacky violent with our gun-lust and all, but then again y'all play footie.
     
  20. Dearns

    Dearns Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2013
    Messages:
    197
    Location:
    Wigan, UK
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    I'm another Brit that's been mistaken for an Aussie when in Vegas. I've also once been asked was I Scottish too. I'm from Wigan in the North West and my accent is a struggle for some people in England never mind Vegas! If I was to speak using proper Wigan dialect then anyone from outside of Wigan wouldn't have a chance of understanding a word I said because it is it's own language. Check out the app iwiganese to find out what I mean.
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2015
Tags:
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.