Does people have less respect for you if you have an accent?
547312
I have an accent, compared to the people I live around now, and they respect me. They imitate me all the time, and although annoying sometimes, it is said that imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery, so I don't mind. If anyone has less respect for me because I grew up somewhere different and talk accordingly, they can kiss my ass.
1012816
If you were both blind, would you know the differences between you (other than maybe an accent!).\n\nI have talked with people on the phone who had assumed that because I sound white, I'm white and must automatically agree with their views and their prejudices on racial matters.\nOther other side, I have talked with none whites who assume because I sound white I am and therefore have the selection of prejudices they 'assume' I have on these things.\n\nI deeply resent those assumptions from both sides. No one gave anyone the right to assume to spreak for me, or to assume anything for me.\n\nI have listened to Black people talk and have heard their colour / racial prejudices, just I have with Brown people (Indian / Asian men seem to love their women to have 'light' skin tones...!).\n\nI have had none-white colleagues and friends who have shared the same tastes as me, liked the same books, films and activities ...and sometimes the same taste in female compansionship too. I once had none white girlfriend too.\n\nI suspect that your colleague who said "whites / blacks could never be 100% honest friends because were too different," was speaking about / for herself.\n\nPersonally I get pi***d off whenever I hear someone speak on 'behalf of others in such broad sweeping statements'.... and WITHOUT their permissions to do so.\n\nRegards.\nSash.
620608
you earn respect, u do not demand people to respect you.
1020767
not every ones personality clicks. however, we don't have to please everybody because we cant! however, it is good to be sosociable with all people! a simple hello, a smile. or a thank you if we are in a store . so if people act differently its them not you or i.  we all should try to get along as far as we can. if we cant then move on. history, culture, whatever the case may be we all should have a conscience!! we all know right from wrong and good and bad. god made us that way!!! so if people act differently its not you or i its them! i hope you see my  point on this matter. and yes every culture has their own beliefs .  and their own ways.that does not mean they have to be rude or unsocialable  people talk different languages. so we all don't talk different languages however its good to take a foreign language. it can be very use full. i took french, and Spanish. that way i can talk to other people and make friends. like i said some are sociable some are not. i just move on. shake the dust off my feet. its their loss. maybe our gain. thank you Kat
349188
I do not think American accents sound good/bad to me. \nI sometimes have difficulty understanding the Southern accent(s), though.\n\nWhat we feel "ugly" could be the attitude that sometimes is so easily associated with the speaker's accent. Be it American or not.
766156
depends what kind of accent and how heavy.  if he can't understand what ur saying then yes
1159419
Like most people - I think it's quite unattractive. A recent survey showed that accents from the Midlands, Liverpool and Manchester are the accents people find the least trustworthy, where those from Yorkshire, Scotland, and (perhaps surprisingly) London are the most trustworthy. Unfortunately there are regional British accents you can get away with anywhere, and those you can't, and each accent has different connotations. Ever noticed how when they're trying to advertise household products, or appeal to the everyday person, it'll be a Yorkshire accent, or maybe a Scottish one, and when they want to sell you something seen as "sophisticated" or upmarket, they bring out the flat "BBC English" (unnaccented as some would say)? Times change though - 50years ago an Irish accent in Britain would have got you instantly barred from many places, whereas now it's associated with (and used in advertising to denote) someone who's friendly and down-to-earth. Be curious to know what the Brummies think of their own accent, as a lot of people will try to hide an accent if they move elsewhere...
180802
Anyone who is not satisfied with where they are at will not acknowledge someone who knows where they are from, They are embarassed.  Otherwise they think that they are better than you and not worth looking at.
587268
You want an american accent?  Well, which dialect?  It depends on what state you live in as to which accent you will hear.  I personally wouldn't bother copying an accent.
75601
Yes, partly to help you get around easier and partly out of respect for the other people in that country. At the very least learn to say "I don't speak (insert language here) so they don't feel snubbed if they asked you a question and you don't answer. I'm currently living in Germany. Got a few of the basics down before I came here and am learning more all the time.
561066
I try to be politically correct.  I don't like to offend people and I don't want people thinking I'm rude, uneducated or unsympathetic to others.
666745
How we feel about an accent usually reflects how we feel about the people who speak with that accent.
578090
Well, if you are one you may not be respected and if you are the other you may not be liked. An extreme of either would be a bad label.
790338
Well its not nessecarly a good or bad thing. People tell me all the time that I talk like a white girl because I speak with correct English. I take it as a complement saying that I have a professional speaking voice instead of taking it as an insult. So dont really pay any attentions to it. Whenever you are in an enviroment where most of the people there are alike but you stand out things like that are bound to happen. So just embrase it as a complement instead of being upset about it. Some people like to say things like that and act like you are the outcast when you are really just being yourself and not like them.
433944
Well as there are several different British accents, it's difficult to answer that. The stereotypical English accent(Queen's English) is annoying. That's the one that sounds like they've got a stick up their butt and who seem to talk down to people. But, being English, I can't say I'm too incensed with any of the British accents. I like some Irish accents though!(scottish accents are horrible!)
655002
They do that because they know that Americans BY NATURE are racist. . . so, if they disguise their voice and give an American name, they'll likely be received better.  Only thing is... it's very hard to get rid of the East Asian accent so they give themselves away.  But honestly speaking, they deserve to get our jobs... they are just as technical as we are and they'll work cheaper.  Not only that, they actually pay attention and learn in school... too bad we Americans are spoiled and think we can get over by being "cool"... and then we go about life putting everyone else from different countries down when we can't even spell COMPUTER correctly. . . ...
907403
1. By Listing others who have better accent.\n2. By Speaking as much as possible and keep a close watch on your accent.