What part of America is she from?

You need to be honest, mate, because carrying on, agreeing with stuff when you have no idea what she's saying is a sure fire way to lead to misunderstanding and upset later.

Just politely say that sometimes you have trouble understanding her over the phone (and phones do make understanding accents difficult sometimes)because of her accent and could she try and speak a little clearer for you. And also point out that you aren't being rude if you sometimes ask her to repeat something she's said. That's much better trying to pretend you know what's she said and getting the wrong end of the stick

Good luck



(Edited by Whistler 29/03/2002 12:18)

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by Joe
What part of America is she from?

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all over last place was new york. ok i'll be straight with her, but i thnik she trys to do liek a sexy voice which i might sort of miss if she speaks clearer

Spike I have a friend in New York who I speak to a lot (in fact thats who I'm going to see in May) To start of with I found him hard to understand but as time has gone on it's got easier ... as Whistler said just be honest, you'll probably find she is having just as hard a time understanding you. I find the best way to say it is "ok ok I was doing really well then but you have gotten all American on me and lost me now" and laugh,he also will do the same, it works for me

Or if it's over the phone you can say "ohhh you're breaking up! Its such a bad line..."

Much harder to do this face to face though!

I always try to repeat whatever small amount I heard to make sure the other person doesn't think I just wasn't paying attention at all. (I have a short attention spa..)

e.g. "I was with you as far as 'do you love m-'.."

Not surprisingly, I have the same exact problem with some British friends, so I know how you feel. After a while, you feel like a fool if it's been repeated two or three times and you still don't get it, so I've fallen into the "Yeah," and "uh huh" trap too. Only trouble is, they think you're a dork or worse, that you don't like them, if you only add monosyllables to a conversation. (Not that someone would think you were a dork Spike; I'm speaking only of myself, and my frequent and recurring case of dorkiness. )

Specifically ask her to slow down, as New Yorkers talk faster than us Midwesterners and Southerners. They do some funky things with vowels too, but that's just my opinion. But Sange is right; your ear will get used to it if you talk to her enough.

Just be honest with her, Spike. Tell her you don't understand what she is saying and ask her to repeat herself, or clarify her statements.

And if you *really* like her, her voice will sound sexy, whatever she does or doesn't do to it.

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by Diandra


Specifically ask her to slow down, as New Yorkers talk faster than us Midwesterners and Southerners. They do some funky things with vowels too, but that's just my opinion. But Sange is right; your ear will get used to it if you talk to her enough.

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Don't they just I'm glad I'm not the only one to think that Diandra LOL

I have a lot of problems with accents from customers at work - the main ones being French, Scottish and Newcastle. And as Diandra says, its not necessarily the dialect someone is using but more the speed that they say it in.

I normally find by asking someone to slow down it makes the sentences clearer.

Good luck.

Me & Yvonne are having no trouble understanding these Americans I've lost count of the number of times we've been asked "Are you Austrailian?" When we tell them we're from England we always get "Cool, are you from London" LOL

BTW, SPIKE. Where do you keep meeting all these women???

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by Teresa
I've lost count of the number of times we've been asked "Are you Austrailian?"

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They used to know I was from Liverpool because apparently I "sound like John Lennon"

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by Teresa
BTW, SPIKE. Where do you keep meeting all these women???

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wouldn't you like ti know?

So how are things going, Spike? Did you decide to be honest with her or come up with something else?