I grew up in rural Georgia, a small town in the heart of the South. Growing up, I never really knew I had an "accent." I mean, I don't over exaggerate my vowels and I don't really talk slow. It wasn't until I got older and made friends from other towns and even states, that I realized I apparently do in fact, have somewhat of a southern accent. Since coming to this realization, I have accepted and even embraced my accent. I get made fun of for my loud exaggerated YALL, and saying the word "ill" instead of "frustrated" or "bothered," (which is a completely different "ill" from the sick "ill"), and "pinch" sounds more like "peench," but hey, that's okay.

Throughout years of traveling to different places and attending two universities, I've heard it all when it comes to the way I talk. Here are a few of the most memorable reactions I've gotten thus far. *cue eye rolling*

1. "How cute you are with your little Southern accent!"

I am 21 years old. I am not 4 years old. I am not little and don't want to be "cute."

2. "Let me hear you say ____!" or "How do you say ____?"

Well, I do speak English so fortunately I can say any word that you can say!

3. "Make sure you enunciate your words so you sound educated!"

YeS AlRiGhT I CaN EnUnCiAtE

4. "Does everybody where you're from talk like that?"

Yep we are all slow speaking rednecks, thank you.

5. "Do you live on a farm?"

Yep I sleep in bed cuddled with my cows and chickens every night.

6. "Don't call me Sir that makes me feel old."

It's a habit and shows respect, so I will still probably call you it.

7. "How quick can you turn that accent on and off?"

I can flip it like a switch, it has nothing to do with 21 years of being raised here.

8. "Good luck with that in your college public speaking classes."

Good thing I'm a semester away from graduating with my B.B.A and have never taken a public speaking class.

9. "Have you always talked like that?"

Nope, luckily accents change like taste buds do.

10. "You sound a lot smarter than I expected from our phone call."

In the words of Jake Perry, just cause I talk slow doesn't mean I'm stupid.