Accents, many people around the world have them, however, in today's society they are not something we are often exposed to. Across the United States most people speak "proper" English, but there is some areas in the country in which people speak with an accent. Those people have grown up with it, it was not a decision that they made on their own. That is who they are but many of us are quick to judge anyone who does not speak what we know as "normal", which is what the majority of us are used to. The reality is that not everyone is the same but some refuse to accept that.
We cannot deny the fact that we perceive people with an accent differently than we do with anyone who speaks properly. I know I do because I am not used to constantly listen to people with an accent. When someone is heard talking they are sometimes taken as a joke. That is because it sounds funny and not normal to us. An accent makes people stand out and be noticed by others, but it is usually not the good kind of attention. Many question where the person might be from or why they are there since it's something we aren't so familiar with. People usually take it as a negative characteristic for someone to have.
Since accents can't be taken very seriously a person with one might not be a very successful business conductor. People might not want to go to them for business because they might think it will cause complications. I sometimes rather not speak to someone with an accent , not because I care much for it but because it is harder to communicate. In some cases the accent is so strong one can't understand what the person is saying. I think that's the main reason people who speak proper English avoid those who speak with such an obvious accent.
Two people apply for a job, they have the same education level and experience, one has an accent and the other does not, who do you hire? Personally, if it was my business I would hire someone with no accent because it would most likely bring me more business. It's unfortunate for those with an accent but it's the reality. It goes back to my previous point, people will not want to negotiate with someone they cannot communicate with. Maybe they'd be hired if they proposed to neutralize their accent, but that is something I would not never ask someone to do. If I had an accent I wouldn't do it either. I would rather stay who I am.
The perception of someone with an accent isn't very great as you can see. It might have been different if more people around us had one. Accents are not what we were taught to be normal, therefore, we are quick to judge people. Many who have an accent find themselves at a disadvantage in the world we live in today.
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