Originally Posted by
Miles Ahead
Accents are a funny thing, and not only in English. I flew 974 to Geneva with a FA with a very strong Suisse Romande accent. As in "vol neuf cent septante-quatre". Having lived in the Pays de Gex for two years, I had no trouble understanding her, but I am not sure a Parisian would have had such an easy time.
But an FA who spoke Bayrisch on a LH flight and then scolded a German passenger for not understanding her would be out of line, just as this FA was out of line for someone not understanding her very regional accent. My English certainly was not the issue.
Many people have their 'home' accent and their 'work' accent. I maintain neutral ones which I adapt depending on my current location and audience. Just as I think that airlines should have some diversity on board, I also believe that the crew should be expected to speak clearly and avoid regional colloquialisms or dialects.
(Although I was chatting with some FAs in the galley on a recent AF flight about new visa regulations and one said 'So, there is a rule for Americans; and then a different rule for EU passport holders and for you' to which I asked 'for me? why do I have my own classification?'. Her reply was 'Well, because you are Swiss of course!'
)