I understand your point, Toffy. I think part of the problem is people not being aware of “outliers” when they mention accents. As an Asian American, I am part of a minority group that comprises about 10% of the American population. Thus, many Americans are still shocked to see a person of Asian descent speaking English with an American accent (rather than an Asian accent).

Before I read of your experience, I didn’t realize there were Asian nationals with American accented English. I wrongly assumed only people born in the U.S. would speak with American accented English. I’ve heard of some Americans going back to Asia and attending international schools, but I didn’t know such schools weren’t restructed to expats.

So if I was told I’d be meeting a Thai national but then heard that she spoke with an American accent, I would be genuinely surprised.

Thanks for sharing your story. I hope more people are aware of “outliers” like us and stop jumping to the wrong conclusions.