I avoid being friends with Americans and I don’t want to talk to them anymore, am I right about this?

Question

I really get offended to the point that I no longer want to speak English language.

People start imitating my strong Russian accent. I find it to be really offensive and insulting.

I avoid being friends with Americans and I don’t want to talk to them anymore, am I right about this?

Please enlighten how I should continue my existence in this insulting environment.

I am trying to get as many peoples opinions as possible.

Answer 1

Go back to where your accent is the norm.

Answer 2

I can understand your irritation. People can be so rude, but sometimes they are rude and Don't realize it. Example: Maybe they just like to hear you talk, and repeat it to see if they can sound that way. Yet others just don't care. I'm from Texas and have a real strong southern accent, I get copied a lot, I get asked to say something, and I get asked if I an from Alabama or Georgia. Our family has a very dear friend from Germany, and she still talks with a strong German Accent,but we never have said anything insulting. Don't give up on all of us Americans there are still some nice ones.

Answer 3

I understand that your feelings are hurt when people imitate your accent. My mother language is also not English, the first few years people apparently did not always understand what I meant, so I made it a point to really think what I wanted to say. and speak very slowly. Now after several years I speak English fluently however still with an accent, people understand me and tell me they just love my accent. Stay with it and listen to people who speak perfect English, like news reporters. Good luck.

Answer 4

No, you're not right about this.
Did you ever think, for even a moment, that perhaps people try to imitate your accent because they LIKE it? Have you never heard the saying "Imitation is the highest form of flattery" ?
It sounds like you are looking for something to be offended about. Try thinking positively and looking for the good in people. Don't go looking for trouble, because it will always find you.

Answer 5

People tend to imitate others that they like. My wife when ever we travel will pick up the accent of the country or area that we're in.

I have many wonderful friendships with Russians and other nationalities, perhaps you just need to run into the right people.

Good luck and try to keep an open mind.

Answer 6

I apologize for those rude people. They should know that you as a Russian have so much intelligence, warmth and good family values to impart to them, as well as being from a lovely country with so many natural resources and rich history. Why they did this I dont know but it could be that they are threatened by anything different from themselves?Another reason is that the media in the US paints a grim picture of Russia due to who controls the media and their past history there. But it sounds like those people you spoke with arent smart enough to read the paper so maybe thats not the reason. If they only knew how superior the Russian education system is with learning 2 languages and being outstanding in math and science, as well as being cultured in the arts and sports they would feel very inferior. You are not wrong to feel the way you do at all. Try to realize that this attitude permeates not only nationalities, but religions, sexes, and races. Everyone wants to belong to their own exclusive little 'club' and if you arent in it then you are threatening to them. I would much prefer to be you with an Russian accent than those rude and thoughtless persons. May God Bless you and I hope you find better people to spend your time with.

Answer 7

Consider it flattery. I know it sounds like people are mocking you, but most of us Yanks like a good strong European accent and find it charming and mysterious. When people imitate you, I think it's because they like it - they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I would like to think you are maybe just too sensitive, but there can be an awful lot of rude individuals out there, so I won't discount the fact that you could have encountered people who are truly insulting. Just for grins, ask someone why they do it. What do you have to lose?

Answer 8

I don't know everything about your situation, but I have a thought. In American culture it is normal for friends to "give each other crap" by teasing or mock insulting each other. I have been told by my friends from other countries that this is not as common else ware. So if your friends are the ones doing impressions of your accent, they are doing it because they like you, not because they want to be mean.

Answer 9

Granted America is home to a large number of idiots, however, all countries have idiots that are not a fair representation of the general population. I myself used to try and imitate foreign accents in high school but soon realized how juvenile it was. Please don't allow a population of ignorant fools to dissuade you from keeping the company of Americans, we can be pretty nice when we set our minds to it.

Answer 10

well, you can always go live in Russia...or find a place in America with a high concentration of Russian speaking people (A few of those places? Alaska, Washington State and Oregon...not to mention West Hollywood, CA and NYC) but would that really solve your problem? probably not.

or you can just ignore stupid people...

and open your own mind...and look for those people who are more tolerant and understanding and have a broader worldview...

Please don't judge all Americans based on the few vocal but ignorant ones...

BTW English is not just the dominant language of the US, it is spoken by more than 2/3s of the world's people. So it is to your personal and profesional advantage to learn to speak English and be bilingual.

If the people making fun of your accent are at work, you can also report them for discrimination. that is your right.

good luck on whatever you decide...

Answer 11

Um, you don't have to be friends with anyone you don't want to. I'm sure not ALL americans act like that around you, but I wouldn't put it past them.
I would try to become friends with other international people living in the US, if you really can't stand Americans...I'm sure you can find some sort of group or meeting place (church, schools) that have people from your culture.
But, you know, if you are that offended, stop speaking the language, and no americans will be your friend.