Language barrier

SO it seems I'm in No Mans Land when it comes to my dialect these days. When I call UK, everyone comments on how Aussie I now sound. But to my Australian counterparts, I sound as Pommy as they come.

One guest came to work who was visiting on a 12-month visa from the UK and he had my accent pinpointed pretty much square on. He stuck Ruthin/Wrexham/Southport on my dulcet tones and to give him his Yorkshire due, he wasn't at all far from the target.

Youngest son sounds like he's lived here for all of his 8 years and the eldest - at the ripe old age of 11 - is slowly getting twanged up with his 'arrrsam' (awesome) and 'sammer' (summer).

Shopping trips can be tricky affairs too. When I need help in locating the butter, I'm shown to the aisle selling batter and a Geordie friend who once asked for bacon saw him escorted to the liquor section for a can of beer (you have to say it out loud to appreciate that one!)

I almost needed an interpreter in work after an incident that happened a few weeks ago.
Some guests were booked in for treatments and were running late because the freeway had been closed off by police after an incident of danger.

So being of an informative nature, I advised all those guests leaving the springs to consider an alternative route home avoiding the freeway. Most took the information on board with an acknowledging nod and appreciative thanks. But one Aussie bloke clearly couldn't understand a word I was mouthing ... "Hi guys, if you were thinking of heading home on the freeway tonight, you'll have to find another route - it's been closed off by police because there's a gunman on the loose."

"A what?" came the reply. So I spoke a bit slower, as you do... "A gunman... on the loose."

Deja vu presented itself with: "A what??" "A gunman..... a man with a gun???"
"Ahhh...... a garnmin" !!!

My Aussie work colleagues found this tale highly amusing and it wasn't long before they knew I can take a joke. I'm constantly jibed and poked fun at by them with my Pommy ways and anecdotes but it's all in good fun.

It's not good fun, however, when I hear customers on the other side of the reception desk mimick me under their breath to their friends.
Working in tourism obviously throws all types of personalities at me. Most are great but there's always a few that can't stop themselves from complaining and moaning and griping. This is the ugly side to working in a place like this and I'm sure I'm not the only person to have to put up with it.

But a minority of small minded Bruce's won't stop me from 'livin' the dream...'