Just read this. (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=68&ncid=68&e=4&u=/nyt/20031128/ts_nyt/scholarsoftwangtrackalltheyallsintexas)

It's also prevalent in Oklahoma, but it's downwashed by the time it hit Kansas and Arkansas. I'd have to say that I can turn it on and off like a light-switch, but there are people who cannot. It gets really hairy out in the middle of a wheat field, when one of these blokes is trying to tell you to un-hitch the round bailer and connect up the disc, "ov'r thar".

However, if you walk into a Tex/Okie store, and prefer people to be a little bit more "personal" with your shopping experience, this little accent makes an entire world of difference. Cashiers and florists will tell you about the day's specials, and go so far as to leave their post to point out something to you.

Hicks.

What's the world comming to?

An interesting study!

Very very true - I live in central Texas, and can switch that twang off and on with the best of them. With the "twang" on, you can get things done better, faster, and friendlier than without. I worked in retail for five years, and used to play around with it - when I used the twang, customers were generally much happier with what I had to say, even if it was something they did not want to hear. If I didn't, I often came off as rude and unhelpful, not only with customers, but managers and coworkers as well.

No, I cannot turn it on and off, and I've lived in Texas for a really long time, but I'm not a native. I have tried to keep a very neutral accent. Nevertheless, I worked in retail for some years and was very successful. Houston is a very cosmopolitan city now and you can meet people here from all over the globe. I've even had a chance to brush up on my German with a number of customers (one store I worked in was close to the airport). At least half the people I came in contact with were from other states or other countries, and if I was not too "down-home" with them, it really made them much more comfortable.

[ December 01, 2003, 17:17: Message edited by: Chandos the Red ]

@Chandos - Between the two of us (if we want to make a careful generalization), we have pretty much proved one point of the article.

Oh yes, Falstaff, I agree. The natives really respond to the down-home spin as you commented. As a sales person you can pick and choose how to repond to each one you come in contact with. But I agree that the natives are easily manipulated by what you suggest. I just never bothered much with that approach.

Having only lived in Texas now for about 3 years, I haven't fully developed my hick, thank god (er, I mean Gawd). Nor do I plan to. I find myself saying "Y'all" every once in a while, and "yousta' could" has escaped my lips once or twice outside of a jest.

However, there are just some Texasisms that are too stupid even for a joke. I draw the line at "fixin' ta." I'm never "fixin'" to do anything, but I do "intend" to do things. Unless of course if I intend to fix something. ;)

Ah, manipulating the natives... so much fun... if only they knew that I was born in Michigan!