I too, have a soft voice and quiet manner of speaking, but if I am walking along with someone, at the grocery store, or in a pub talking with friends on hubby's pool league night, I can still be heard. The original point I was making was in reference to the statement that Canadians being upset if they are asked if they are American, but Americans 'don't mind' being asked if they are Canadian.
I live in Blackburn, which I realize makes me more of a novelty than if I lived somewhere bigger like London or Manchester that gets more Americans through there or living there. I've been stopped mid sentence at the grocery store numerous times while talking to MIL (we go at the same time and share a cab home since they are just a couple streets over) to be asked where I am from. I suppose it bothers me because I was raised to not interrupt people while they are talking. I've also had it when walking down the street or at the pub. I never really think about people listening in, because I figure they are busy with who they are talking to, but apparently people do listen in sometimes, no matter how low your voice is. I have had to learn to speak louder than I am used to, to be heard in pubs or at the gocery store, or even walking down the road. I suppose that is why people can hear me.
It isn't that I mind people telling me about their trips to America, and I enjoy hearing about how they enjoyed my country. What bothers me is if I am interrrupted when I am talking to someone and the conversation steers completely away from what was being talked about, by someone who interrupted us.
I am truly sorry if my thoughts on this subject are offending some people and from now on I will just keep quiet. I didn't realize I'd be causing chaos by mentioning it can be a two way street on the whole American/Canadian being offended point. I never was trying to say I was offended but it seems to be read that way.