I was in LOTFAP and when asked where I was from said 'Australia'. After a bit of to and fro they asked "Oh, so is it near New Zealand?" :!:
At least they have the right general direction.
Cheers,
Renato
1978, asked by 'barmaid' at the downtown Hilton in Baltimore where we were from. "Australia". Oh, which part? "Melbourne". Ponders a minute. Is it near London?
Many over there (and in Europe) confuse our accent with British/ London accent. I guess when they don't know Australia, teh accent triggers the next most logical place in their mind.
Regards,
Renato
My daughter spent 6 months student exchange in 2013. She went to the local school in Wisconsin.
Quite a few times, when speaking to both other students and adults, they told her that she spoke very good English !!
Clearly, some don't realise that we do actually speak English in Australia.....
hahaaaaa
TQ
That's very amusing.
Regards,
Renato
Though the language varies throughout LOTFAP.They just cant understand me in the South.Mrsdrron has to act as my interpreter,she can speak southern real good.
The okies have no problem understanding me nor I them-they talk re....a...l slow.
The best for me though is Washington State.One April we were driving up the Washington coast.It is migration time for gray whales.Usually a local on each headland to point things out for you.One day was just miserable-rain,wind and cold.I felt sorry for the volunteer so got out and had a long talk with him.As I was leaving he said-I know you are not from town,do you come from south of here.
Why yes,several thousand miles south.
It's a strange feeling when you can understand them and they can't understand you, is it not?
I get that often in unexpected parts of Italy, when I speak my version of Venetian Italian (they understand me easily in very distant Naples and Amalfi Coast, but don't understand me much closer to home in Siena).
And as I think I mentioned elsewhere, many Americans have a hard time understanding the way we say "beef" - which generally isn't a problem if one is a vegetarian.
Regards.
Renato
What amazes me about the 'Austria' reaction is that the Seppos have even heard of Austria. It's a tiny obscure eastern European country with a population well below Australia's (about 8 million). How many Austrians have you ever met outside Europe? There was a famous Austrian once though...
No offence to local Austrians intended...
Maybe they are history buffs and were into the Hapsburgs and the Austrian-Hungarian Empire?
Cheers,
Renato
Last time in LOTFAP: "Australia - that's like the Texas of England, right?"
Sure, why not.
Lots of cows in Texas, lots of cows in Australia.
Yes, that sounds about right (especially if they see Bob Katter's election commercial).
Cheers,
Renato
Years ago when I was in LOTFAP and mentioned I was from Australia, I was asked which way did I drive over :shock:
If it doesn't happen in New York, it doesn't happen suddenly makes more sense.
I guess it's could be a case of Canada/ Australia - it's all the same thing right?
Cheers,
Renato
Clazgirl is constantly asked what part of America are you from, and are you enjoying your holiday in Australia. Despite being Canadian and living here for 20 years.
She responds with I love your Kiwi accent ...... been here long
She hasn't lost her accent, has she? Which would make her more interesting to people.
Oddly enough, earlier this year I met a Canadian down here for work, and she was having a very hard time understanding me.
Regards,
Renato
I've had a number of taxi drivers in Italy ask "Australia? What part of America is that?"
The other notable comment from one of the vecchia relatives from Italy was that she had been to Australia on the bus once! A fair hike from Castel Di Sangro I'd imagine!
That's pretty unusual. Over there when I say I'm from Australia they all start going on about Megan Gale, Casey Stoner, the Melbourne Grand Prix, the Phillip island Grand Prix, Border Control Australia. Twenty years ago, visitors to Italy from Melbourne would get frustrated about everyone wanting to talk to them about Wally Lewis, and most people from Melbourne who weren't sports fans didn't know who he was.
Cheers,
Renato
While in LOTFAP....
"So where are you from?"
"Australia"
"Wow, how long did it take to drive here?"
Judging from the same recollection related above, some must really think Australia is pretty close.
Unlike in my anecdote though - at least they've heard of Australia.
Regards,
Renato