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I've always been proud of my accent. During my stays in Indianapolis and Michigan it definitely got noticed. For some reason people assumed I was from Kentucky, then I would have to inform them I was from West By God Virginia. People were amazed with my manners, the whole Yes Ma'am, opening doors, that kind of deal, apparently that sort of thing is not practiced by too many people. In Michigan i met a guy born in Logan,WV and another one from Harlan, Ky, they said my voice reminded them of their younger days being back here. Northern women were the most receptive and the nicest people, apparently in love with my Appalachian Charms. I've had People from Texas tell me I sounded like Randy Moss(Straight Cash Homey,lol) and more country than anybody they ever heard, even though they had that Texas Twang in their speech. In job situations I always tried to clean the hick out of my accent, but the jobs I worked at embraced my WV roots, we have a great reputation for being hard workers. Southern Indiana below Bloomington had southern characteristics, more Farm and Country like and were pretty Redneck in my book, Cotton Eye Joe Style, I loved it! I love America and all it's diversity!
See, Indiana and Illinois, yes. But not Ohio. I have now been well acquainted with southern Ohio and it just isn't very southern. Honestly it feels just like rural PA or NY to me.
Especially Cincinatti-Middletown-Dayton. I know that area like my bathroom sink. Not southern.
Eh... maybe Cincy and nearby Kentucky are the exceptions, but go to Ironton or even Athens, OH and get back to me.
I've always been proud of my accent. During my stays in Indianapolis and Michigan it definitely got noticed. For some reason people assumed I was from Kentucky, then I would have to inform them I was from West By God Virginia. People were amazed with my manners, the whole Yes Ma'am, opening doors, that kind of deal, apparently that sort of thing is not practiced by too many people. In Michigan i met a guy born in Logan,WV and another one from Harlan, Ky, they said my voice reminded them of their younger days being back here. Northern women were the most receptive and the nicest people, apparently in love with my Appalachian Charms. I've had People from Texas tell me I sounded like Randy Moss(Straight Cash Homey,lol) and more country than anybody they ever heard, even though they had that Texas Twang in their speech. In job situations I always tried to clean the hick out of my accent, but the jobs I worked at embraced my WV roots, we have a great reputation for being hard workers. Southern Indiana below Bloomington had southern characteristics, more Farm and Country like and were pretty Redneck in my book, Cotton Eye Joe Style, I loved it! I love America and all it's diversity!
Well then... we all can certainly tell you have that Appalachian charm from the way you write. It's definitely not redneck, so we also know you didn't spend all your time in McDowell.
Well thanks CT, I spent several years in Indianapolis and a year in Michigan. I've always loved traveling and meeting people, but I always come home to WV.
Location: Appalachian New York, Formerly Louisiana
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CTMountaineer
Eh... maybe Cincy and nearby Kentucky are the exceptions, but go to Ironton or even Athens, OH and get back to me.
Ironton sure, it's on the border. It's gonna be Kentucky-ish by proximity. I've been near Athens on my travels though, country? Yes. Southern? Highly debatable. You may as well call Tioga county Pennsylvania southern because I saw no difference.
...
then I would have to inform them I was from West By God Virginia. People were amazed with my manners, the whole Yes Ma'am, opening doors, that kind of deal, apparently that sort of thing is not practiced by too many people. ...
Were our parents (in my case at least, mostly my mother) the only ones to insist on good manners?
Like CoW, even in my sixties now I hold doors open for females, say thank you to clerks one-third my age, etc. In many cases, they seem surprised. As CoW says, it must be rare these days.
Well thanks CT, I spent several years in Indianapolis and a year in Michigan. I've always loved traveling and meeting people, but I always come home to WV.
People in New England think I talk funny, too. Have you ever heard what those people do to the English language? Dropping R's off when they are needed and then adding R's to words that don't need any. Even JFK called this state West Virginier.
Were our parents (in my case at least, mostly my mother) the only ones to insist on good manners?
Like CoW, even in my sixties now I hold doors open for females, say thank you to clerks one-third my age, etc. In many cases, they seem surprised. As CoW says, it must be rare these days.
I was always taught proper manners, my Mom and Dad both were real strict about being kind, friendly and cleanly. We lived beside the railroad tracks and had white rugs(coal dust from trains gets everywhere). I noticed that kids in other states were some of the most disrespectful heathens I've ever met, and their parents weren't much better. This was mostly in the cities, where's the belt when you need it?
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