Disgusting surfer accent
Hey guys,I’m an incoming SA at a New York BB (gs/jp/ms). I was born and raised in San Diego and I have an absolutely overpowering and obvious “SoCal” “surfer” accent (ironically, I don’t surf). This was never something that was an issue back home, but as soon as I got to the northeast for school, it’s always something that gets brought up. Any time I meet someone new, if we eventually become friends/closer, they always point it out.I know that it can be annoying (even I find it annoying after a while when I hear videos of myself talking), and I don’t want to seem unlikable or annoying at work because of my accent—anyone have any tips on how to tone it down more naturally? I find that I can easily turn it down when I’m consciously thinking about it, but the problem arises when I’m not actively trying to restrain it. Or, will anyone even care?
Edit: I’m a guy, for context
Another incoming intern here - personally, something is a weakness only if you make it a weakness. Your diverse background is a strength if you treat it as such.
Don't be insufferable, obviously, but don't take the yeast out of the bread before it bakes.
That's one hell of a metaphor
This is gonna be the new 'ducks in a row' once the PE guys gets their hands on it
Started to use this metaphor, thanks.
S tier metaphor. I'll be using this at the Wells Fargo Chattanooga branch
Just speak slower and make a focus to articulate. Try to do anything but put an inflection at the end of your sentences.
By surfer do you mean valley girl or Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High?
Do not speak slower lol, Cali natives are already known for speaking slow. In fact, speak faster so you blend the accent into the flow of the sentence and get rid of the draw.
I just searched up “Spicoli” and I hate that it’s actually realistic.
All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I’m fine
big john?
all heart
Totally understand your concern. Work with 2 guys from San Diego and Orange County who have the surfer accent and while I will admit it can be annoying at times it doesn’t matter because they are really fking good at their jobs and really fking good people. Just focus on being a good person and good analyst and don’t ever compromise who you are for this industry. I tried to make fundamental changes to my personality when I first hit the desk to fit the IB mold (can’t share exactly how for anonymity reasons). In hindsight this was really stupid and I actually got called out for it bc it was so stupid (sorry again I can’t share). You got the offer for a reason so just focus on how you can be the best analyst YOU can be. Not you with a new, posh accent, not you with a new ego, not you with a new sternness that you didn’t have before, but the REAL YOU. Hope this helps.
As a European it's hilarious to think any American accent could ever be considered 'Posh' or classy.
Imagine a Spanish guy thinking about some Mexican who thinks he has a 'classy' accent. LMAO
Tallest dwarf syndrome I guess.
Europids find ignorance so charming when they do it…
As an American, I find Europe funny
enjoy ur $55k/yr IB salary and 45% tax rate on 60k+ LOL. I'll take our garish accents instead
as an American its hilarious to think we bailed yall out of world war 2.
The USA built 12 of the 17 largest airports in Europe.
Nothing matches the economic engine that is America
Incredibly helpful—thank you for the advice! Will be myself.
OP maybe just think about the fact that to every Engish person (native speakers of the language) any American accent is ridiculous/disgusting.
Imagine a random Mexican person worrying that they don't have a 'Posh' mexican accent.
Meanwhile to every Spaniard they all sound equally bad and can never sound classy. The list goes on...
Tallest dwarf syndrome perhaps.
I know this guy hates that Nordics learn American English. Your island is washed!
Good thing no one is interacting with Europeans… you guys are a smaller market than India
Tbf the USA has progressed from school shootings to school bombings.
as an American its hilarious to think we bailed yall out of world war 2.
The USA built 12 of the 17 largest airports in Europe.
Nothing matches the economic engine that is America
I’d rather work with a surfer bro than a fucking dork from Illinois
What about a really cool guy from Illinois
Who let the guy with the working brain on WSO
I'm a farm kid from downstate IL. I don't think anyone has called me a dork since 3rd grade in 1985. I did catch some flack early in my career for talking like a farm kid. I bled most of that out early in my career. I also embraced being a farm kid and just owned it. I had a very different story than most of the prep school/Ivy League clones. I can only think of 2 other finance friends that came from farming. One was from a legit big farm in Kansas, but the other had a family running apple orchards and a small, fancy hotel in Vermont and went to Choate or one of those schools and then an Ivy so from a traditional farming perspective he doesn't really count...great guy though.
Curious — what did the path of getting into banking look like for you in the 80s? If you don’t mind sharing the vaguer details, would love to get some insight on breaking into a stereotypically elitist industry while being from the country
Nothing worse than having a Canadian accent. You should be fine.
Easy on the strays bud, ey
God bless 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
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