Do you form opinions on people based on their accents?

Question

I'm afraid I do, and I wasn't even aware of it until recently. A guy with a strong cockney accent started talking and I guess I subconsciously thought, "Here we go, another thickie"....he turned out to be one of the most lucid, intellectual people I've ever met.

Shame on me!

Answer 1

apparently most people do form opinions based on accents so there was a lot of research done into what accents are appealing and which ones aren't. So even people that say it doesn't matter, subconciously form an opinion. You are more likley to find that call centres that have to deal with complaints are based in Newcastle or Liverpool because apparently we don't like that accent so much so we want to get off the phone faster, whereas sales call centres that are cold calling or trying to get you to buy something are more likely to be based in Dublin as the Irish accent is considered the most appealing. I guess we just have to listen to what people say before we judge them rather than what accent they have, but it is interesting to know which ones are popular and which ones aren't. I ave actually found that I tend to be even more aware NOT to judge when I hear accents from the less popular areas, so maybe it is going against itself!

Answer 2

Yeah and I hate to admit it... but my prejudices have been proven wrong so much. I went to college down south (i'm a northerner) and I thought everyone I met at school with an accent was less intelligent than me. Now I know that some of the most wordly people I've met sound like hicks, but it's only the way that they sound. Yeah, it's always whats up in the brain that counts.

Answer 3

I think some people do and blatantly take the piss whereas others are genuinely curious as to where your accent originates. A Glaswegian accent tends to arouse people's curiosities and you're asked to say things for their entertainment-harmless fun though!(although very few Scots going around saying "och aye the noo")

Answer 4

yes i think we all do. Accents are a good thing though they are like a form of identity. it is a great shame that in a few generations we will lose our accents. And who said cockneys are thick? Not me!

Answer 5

No, I've never done that, there are one or two accents I just aren't that fond of but I see the person and not the accent.

Answer 6

I used to have two female, white South African bosses, and they always ordered me around at a higher level than any other of my jobs. They were bitchy and patronising. Therefore I always have this hatred of South African accents, which makes me dislike the person automatically, even though I have found the actual person to be quite nice.

Answer 7

A little, but not just the accents. I also has to do with articulation and speed. Vulgar language or coarse speech elicit an opinion rather quickly.

Answer 8

no, and i would never judge somebody on the basis of their accent. all i care about is that they treat me with respect and verbally communicate to me in a clear and articulate manner. and as long as he/she is a good, wise and well-behaved human being, i couldn't care less whether they sound scottish, south african, aussie, american etc

Answer 9

yes sometimes its normal i guess, but then again who doesnt have an accent, if we go to another country of english speakers we have an accent

Answer 10

i went to stay with my cousin in London and all her friends laughed at my accent (i'm scottish) and tried to make out they couldn't understand me. i'd barely got to know them and i hated them already. don't let accents turn people against you!