Today was the second time this week that I got asked if I am Canadian. On Monday a colleague said, "I can't quite place your accent, but are you Canadian?" When I said no, actually I am American, his response was pretty entertaining. He said, "I couldn't decide if you were Canadian or American but I thought I would cause less offense if I asked you if you were Canadian and I was wrong. Canadians passionately hate being called American." I guess he has more Canadian acquaintances than American acquaintances because where I come from, Americans passionately hate being mistaken for our northern neighbors, eht?
Today's Canadian misidentification was a bit nicer or creepy, depending on how you choose to interpret it. While on the phone with a co-worker who I have never met or spoken to before, he interrupted me mid-sentence and in his heavy German accent said, "Pardon me but are you Canadian? You have a very lovely accent." When I told him thank you but I'm actually American, he said, "Oh, well you must have a hard time understanding my accent then." Nein! Ich verstehe sie perfekt. Vielen dank. Apparently Americans have lovely accents but are stupid.
Perhaps H and I should perpetuate the myth that we're Canadian by picking up a gorgeous white Toyota Hilux, complete with Canadian maple leaf bumper sticker. But only if I get my mercenary to ride shotgun.
Today's Canadian misidentification was a bit nicer or creepy, depending on how you choose to interpret it. While on the phone with a co-worker who I have never met or spoken to before, he interrupted me mid-sentence and in his heavy German accent said, "Pardon me but are you Canadian? You have a very lovely accent." When I told him thank you but I'm actually American, he said, "Oh, well you must have a hard time understanding my accent then." Nein! Ich verstehe sie perfekt. Vielen dank. Apparently Americans have lovely accents but are stupid.
Perhaps H and I should perpetuate the myth that we're Canadian by picking up a gorgeous white Toyota Hilux, complete with Canadian maple leaf bumper sticker. But only if I get my mercenary to ride shotgun.
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