I talk real purdy

While living in New Orleans I was often asked where I grew up. Apparently most locals didn't think I sounded Southern enough to claim New Orleans as my home. I never minded not having the typical southern drawl that makes folks think your IQ is about 63 points less than it really is, I like people to base their low IQ assumptions on what I say, not how I say it. But since moving to California I've been asked almost weekly if I'm from the South. Which makes me wonder if my accent that I thought never existed, actually is very present and influences how people perceive me. I also wonder if this new found accent requires me to go out and get a banjo, sleep with relatives and skin me a 'coon because them be some good eats.