How is a southern accent perceived in Boston? (metro area, area)

[OutdoorLover]

For what it's worth, people in New England aren't monolithic, and I think that reactions can vary widely. I don't think most people will care. Likewise, when I have traveled to the South, similarly, most people were polite to me, but it wasn't rare where people had a big chip on their shoulder and I encountered hostility the instant they realized I was a Yankee - even in areas like RTP, North Carolina.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by GeePee

At the very least it shows some sort of narrow minded person who has never worked in a culture of professionals or has been further than new hampshire or cape cod for labahhhhh day.
Even when speaking a different language I can pick up regional and proper speak.

I guess it's about if you really care about it or not. The same way i see grown men with 13 Patriots stickers on their truck listening to sports radio and crushing a 36oz cream and coffee. For some reason i judge (sadly) that this person may not have an encompassing world view.

I work in a culture of professionals. I also work in a culture of diversity and have to network with and deal with cliental from all around. Different accents, colors, cultures, beliefs and communication styles. This current generation of sheltered snowflakes is going to have a very difficult time functioning in today's world, without having the ability to handle differences at least on a business level. In fact it's not really a matter of "going to", I am already seeing it...

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

That's my path with neighbors and family, but if I'm resourcing talent with $8K/week burn rates on complex systems design which are client-facing, I'm taking public disclosures on personal beliefs into consideration. And this is my point with "leave Jesus at home" - most understand, including myself, a good 40-50 of population has some faith based beliefs, but there is an expectation that it be left at home as a workplace should be secular. When people do not adhere to this standard, it makes others question their judgement/social aptitude. I have had issues with this in the past and the non-compliant were never of Northeast origin (despite a number of deeply faithful people). They were always southern or lower mid-western/Texan.

Additionally, lets not conflate my belief that "people can and often are classified by their accent' with some kind of personal ideology. I could really give a toss about your accent, but to say there isn't strong correlation with working class types (e.g., tradesmen) having stronger MA accents .... well that is, at best, incredibly naive. You're telling me when SNL/Casey Affleck imagined that Dunks skit it just happened in a vacuum? Uhhh ... no.

OK let me ask you both this. Should I also expect Asians to lose their accent in a professional setting as well? Hispanics??? Or do you just think those with a Boston "accident" need to tone it down?

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by massnative71

I work in a culture of professionals. I also work in a culture of diversity and have to network with and deal with cliental from all around. Different accents, colors, cultures, beliefs and communication styles. This current generation of sheltered snowflakes is going to have a very difficult time functioning in today's world, without having the ability to handle differences at least on a business level. In fact it's not really a matter of "going to", I am already seeing it...




OK let me ask you both this. Should I also expect Asians to lose their accent in a professional setting as well? Hispanics??? Or do you just think those with a Boston "accident" need to tone it down?

1) gen-z/millenials are, generally speaking, not the ones screaming “build that wall”, so to suggest they’re going to be the root of intolerance is hilariously out of touch with current social dynamics.

2) Asians have little motivation to drop an accent as western born coworkers have little understanding of their class structures, therefor they see little negative bias in a professional environment due accent/dialect. Let me reiterate my point ... again ... since you fail to understand what I’m truly saying here. I’m not, pretty clearly I think, advocating someone drop their accent. I am suggesting that there is a very really correlation between accents and class structures which might cause someone with an accent to tone it down to avoid class associations. While we all wish to live a merit based society, the reality is well short and people adjust accordingly.

[bostonguy1960]

Am I the only one around Boston annoyed by the ubiquitous Cordell & Cordell (domestic litigation firm) radio commercials aired locally in recent years? How many New Englanders (and even metro New Yorkers) would simply end a first date if someone sounded like that, no matter his high education?

I don't know what kind of southern accent that is, but it's annoying. I hate myself for saying it. But I don't think his accent would be taken seriously in many Boston professional or working-class settings, whether colleges or offices.

I've received occasional comments (or even mocked?) locally for having somewhat of a Canadian, Buffalo, Minnesota accent by some of my rideshare and taxi passengers over the years. So I should have sensitivity toward accents, but that Cordell & Cordell guy is annoying.

[GeePee]

Originally Posted by massnative71

OK let me ask you both this. Should I also expect Asians to lose their accent in a professional setting as well? Hispanics??? Or do you just think those with a Boston "accident" need to tone it down?

I'm talking about exaggerated accents for effect. Like Southie chick I mentioned. It just tells me she has a small circle where that is seen as a comfort. Just like if the Hispanic you mentioned was calling clients Papi Chulo. There's a time and place for it. Just like sweatpants. Don't bring that to a professional environment. She is a wonderful woman otherwise, but I still cringe when I hear her on the phone. That's all.
I feel this less with people from other countries. My parents moved here 30 years ago and my dad still has a pretty thick accent. That's different.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by GeePee

I'm talking about exaggerated accents for effect. Like Southie chick I mentioned. It just tells me she has a small circle where that is seen as a comfort. Just like if the Hispanic you mentioned was calling clients Papi Chulo. There's a time and place for it. Just like sweatpants. Don't bring that to a professional environment. She is a wonderful woman otherwise, but I still cringe when I hear her on the phone. That's all.
I feel this less with people from other countries. My parents moved here 30 years ago and my dad still has a pretty thick accent. That's different.

Fair enough.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

1) gen-z/millenials are, generally speaking, not the ones screaming “build that wall”, so to suggest they’re going to be the root of intolerance is hilariously out of touch with current social dynamics. .

Not sure where the wall and border security comes into this conversation, but no younger folk are disinterested in general as for the goings on in the world. You will find that MOST of the loudest (both for and against) the wall trend older. Now going back to the conversation, yes it IS a growing issue particularly among those late 20s/or early 30s and under, in that many seem to shut down or simply unable to communicate or function when it comes to diversity. It's not so much racial, two black (or Asian) and white upper-middle-class ME grads from the Boston suburbs will generally click fine. It's when they venture outside their comfort zone...of course there are exceptions to all of this. But it's not just me noticing the trend, it's been a topic of conversation at work (and among friends from different fields) quite a bit lately as well.

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

2) Asians have little motivation to drop an accent as western born coworkers have little or of their class structures, therefor they see little negative bias in a professional environment due accent/dialect. Let me reiterate my point ... again ... since you fail to understand what I’m truly saying here. I’m not, pretty clearly I think, advocating someone drop their accent. I am suggesting that there is a very really correlation between accents and class structures which might cause someone with an accent to tone it down to avoid class associations. While we all wish to live a merit based society, the reality is well short and people adjust accordingly.

Tell that to the Kennedys.

[ryanthegoldengod]

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

It will stand out for certain. Will people judge you for it? No more and no less than they judge everyone else. You'll catch more flak for wearing out of town pro sports paraphernalia than a southern accent.

To be safe, only wear college sports gear. All the colleges up there are lousy at many team sports ;-)

Wear a BC basketball sweatshirt. People will assume you've suffered enough and leave you alone.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by Tarzanman

It will stand out for certain. Will people judge you for it? No more and no less than they judge everyone else. You'll catch more flak for wearing out of town pro sports paraphernalia than a southern accent.

To be safe, only wear college sports gear. All the colleges up there are lousy at many team sports ;-)

Yeah, but a Falcons jersey would get point, a 28-3 remark, and laughter. Boston is an American League town so a Braves hat wouldn't draw any remarks at all. It's not like wearing Yankees gear.



An attractive younger woman with a southern accent is a novelty just like a Brit accent. You wouldn't have to pay for cocktails in the bar. Dunno about male.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by ryanthegoldengod

Wear a BC basketball sweatshirt. People will assume you've suffered enough and leave you alone.

I moved to the Boston metro area in the late 80s, and I have yet to hear anyone make any kind of reference to BC basketball.