I use a fake accent in awkward situations...

Come on. Anyone else do it? I do it sometimes, especially when I'm trying not to draw attention to myself. For example, at Iceland yesterday, I only had a few items so I thought I would be in and out. However, one of my items wouldn't scan properly so the operator had to go back and forth to the aisles to find one that worked. It scanned eventually, but I felt bad for the line and the operator, so I kept uttering my apologies with some British slur. 

Um ... no. 

I wonder if your fake accent might actually have the opposite effect and draw more attention?

Well I have developed somewhat of a mutated accent. But I do tend to bring it out in situations like that. So long as it's only a couple words. I wouldn't jabber on in a fake accent. But especially around here, it is worth disguising my Americanness.

Um ... no.   

I wonder if your fake accent might actually have the opposite effect and draw more attention?

Haha, I don't believe so. This usually happens in the market. I don't do 'full' conversations, but I'll murmur softly "sorry" or "thanks" No one has caught me yet Chary!  

Well I have developed somewhat of a mutated accent. But I do tend to bring it out in situations like that. So long as it's only a couple words. I wouldn't jabber on in a fake accent. But especially around here, it is worth disguising my Americanness.

Exactly. Few words here and there.

But especially around here, it is worth disguising my Americanness.

whaaaaat? why?

I don't, but that's probably more to do with the fact that I'm just completely incapable of it. 

whaaaaat? why?

Just people that I know make anti-American comments quite often. I know what the general consensus is. 

Also, I've seen American tourists in London.  So I have seen what everyone else thinks of us. They tend to be quite embarassing... That's another time to disguise my accent.

Just people that I know make anti-American comments quite often. I know what the general consensus is. 

Also, I've seen American tourists in London.  So I have seen what everyone else thinks of us. They tend to be quite embarassing... That's another time to disguise my accent.

I don't think that's the general consensus at all!!! Certainly not around here. But even assuming that people are anti-American where you live (and I'm not convinced), unless you're an incredibly good actress I doubt disguising your accent is very effective. People don't dislike Americans, but they definitely might dislike someone putting on a silly accent! Why not just be yourself?

That's awful that people you know make you feel like that.

I hope you meet some nicer people soon!!!

I've never faked my accent...I think it's childish and immature to try to be something you're not. I'm not British I'm American, my accent is more non regional US being from California but over the past 3 years I've picked up a bit of an English lilt and I find that I enunciate my words a bit more clearly than I used to.

But to out and out fake an accent? Never, you end up looking stupid and you're assuming that the people that you're talking to are too stupid to realise that you're faking...frankly it's insulting.

Where I teach, it is very American friendly. Where I live, not as much. You don't have to believe me. That is your business.

It is more in a way that I don't want to draw attention to myself. I get tired of being an oddity. I am sure that much of it is in my head, but again that is up to me! It's not that I will fake a whole conversation, but a word here and there to avoid stares is okay in my book.

Doing a fake accent sounds like you are making fun of the people who really have that accent.

Not a way to endear you to people, unless you are just joking around with friends.

I would be very impressed if you had the ability to fake an accent that the locals have used all their lives, and they wouldn't be able to tell that you were faking it.

When I try to do a Yorkshire accent, DH says that I sound like a posh actress who is playing a poor Yorkshire lass in a play. I will never be able to sound like I was born here.

I do when i'm out in public and someone asks me something.. I don't think it's a conscious thing after 15 years here,... just a way of keeping anonymous.  I slip in and out all the time depending on my mood or who i'm talking to. But again, been here fifteen years. Sometimes i'll be watching a show and can't even make out if it's an American or British accent. The line seems to blur alot for me.

Well, I've only been here two years so there's no slipping in and out of anything even unconsciously.  Never in my wildest imaginings would I ever even *think* to fake an accent.  I will always be myself.  I don't like to draw unneccesary attention to myself, but I certainly don't think faking an accent would make *any* situation less awkward, even if it was just a word or two.

Exactly - to be anonymous.

Some people are making it out to be a horrible thing. It is all well and good to say "be yourself" but really, I don't want to have to explain myself constantly. When I'm feeling tired or sad, I would rather murmur a few "thank yous" and "sorrys" than have people look at me like that.