Born in Manila, Philippines.
Grew up in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
Went to an International School whose sister school was based in New Jersey, USA; hence the American accent.
Had teachers, classmates and friends from all over the world — USA, UK, Canada, Finland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, etc; hence my strange vocabulary at times.
Finished the remainder of high school and college back in the Philippines.
Talks (most times) with an American accent.*
*I’m good with impersonation and sometimes I just can’t help it, my accent changes depending on who I’m talking to. It comes naturally. LOL
That, my friends, is pretty much my life, in a nutshell.
While I think it’s pretty straight forward, there are still some people who get super confused as to where I’m from and where I grew up, why I talk like this, etc. Here are a few conversations I’ve had while traveling.
Convo #1:
Stranger (S): So, where are you from?
Reby (R): *in my American accent* I’m from the Philippines.
(S): No, really, were are you from? Are you from the US?
(R): No, I’m really from the Philippines.
(S): Oh, but why do you sound like that? I could’ve sworn you’re from the States.
(R): No, I’m Filipino.
(S): But did you grow up in the States?
(R): No, I grew up in Saudi Arabia.
(S): Oh ok, so are you part Arab?
(R): Nope.
(S): *confuzzled*
Convo #2: (this one was actually with a customs officer)
(S): Where are you from?
(R): Philippines.
(S): Where do you work?
(R): Philippines.
(S): Where did you grow up?
(R): Philippines and Saudi Arabia.
(S): Did you, at any point in your life live in the US?
(R): Nope.
(S): Are you sure about that? I’m sorry for all the questions, I’m just trying to figure out why you sound just like me.
ROFL
Convo #3: via text message
(S): Oh, I’m sorry I don’t think I can make it anymore. I’m running late.
(R): Oh don’t worry about it, there’s heaps of time left at the next stop. We can wait for you there if you’re still keen on coming.
(S): Oh perfect! I’ll meet up with you guys there then.
Upon meeting me and hearing my American accent.
(S): So are you not from Australia then?
(R): *laughs* No, I’m not.
(S): Oh, I thought you were since you used “keen” and “heaps”.
(R): Yeah, I use words I pick up here and there. Sometimes they’re just a lot faster to say.
(S): *confuzzled*
Convo #4
Stranger (S): So, where are you from?
Reby (R): I’m from the Philippines.
(S): You have really good English. Do you work at a call center?
(R): No.
(S): How do you have an accent then?
(R): Probably because I went to an International School..?
(S): Oh yeah? In Manila?
(R): No, in Saudi Arabia.
(S): Oh wow, ok. How was that? Are you part Arab? Can you speak Arabic? Isn’t it dangerous there?
Pandora’s box: OPENED
Convo #5: When I’m not really in the mood to explain everything
Stranger (S): So, where are you from?
Reby (R): I’m from the Philippines.
(S): Oh, but you grew up in the States, didn’t you?
(R): Yup, Hawaii. (I’ve been mistaken a few times as Hawaiian so what the hey)
(S): I knew it! There are a lot of Filipinos in Hawaii. Blah blah blah.
LOL
Can anyone else relate to this?
This was really funny. I would enjoy getting people more and more confused 😄
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Haha, yeah. It happens all too often. Thanks for stopping by! 😊
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My pleasure!
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I literally LOLed while reading this HAHAHA
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Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
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No problem! Do drop by mine at thecuriouslittleboy.wordpress.com for updates of my trips! 🙂
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