Accents are an integral part of our identity, often revealing our country of origin or upbringing. Despite their rich diversity, accents can sometimes be confusing or even misleading. Beyond shaping our perceptions, they significantly influence trust and first impressions as we’re often drawn to particular ways of speaking or the unique sound of foreign accents.
To delve into these perceptions, Answering Service Care recently commissioned a Censuswide survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults. The study aimed to identify which regional and international accents Americans find most friendly, trustworthy, and persuasive, and how these perceptions impact customer service interactions and career opportunities.
The survey revealed a clear pattern: over 38% of respondents rated Southern American accents as the most welcoming. This perception likely stems from the widespread association of the Southern U.S.—including states like Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, and South Carolina—with hospitality.
The second place, according to the participants, was given to people with Hawaiian accent, which gathered 34% of the votes. The island is a place often associated with a more laid-back lifestyle, which also points to its ranking and why respondents thought it the second most friendly.
Additionally, from all Southern accents, the Texan was voted as the third friendliest, with 31% of survey respondents seeing it as pleasant.
Additionally, the Hawaiian accent was rated as one of the least annoying accents. Similarly, the Alaskan accent was perceived as one of the least bothersome, with only three respondents finding it unpleasant.
To take the research a step further, the respondents were also asked whether they felt proud of their cultural or regional accent. Residents of Vermont expressed the highest level of their accent, with 67% agreeing with the statement. This aligns with Vermont’s goal to preserve its heritage, suggesting a strong link between regional identity and accent pride.
New Mexico ranked second, with 57% of residents expressing pride in their accent. This finding underscores how accents in New Mexico often reflect the area’s diverse cultural blend, including Native American, Spanish, and Mexican influences.
Other states with high levels of accent pride included Kentucky (56%) and Tennessee (45%), both regions where accents are recognized as a significant component of local identity.
With regard to international accents, the American public finds the Italian accent the most attractive (31%), followed closely by the French accent (29%). When it comes to charm, French accents lead (33%), while Australian accents are considered the most humorous (24%).
