A British Indian with an Aussie Accent!

Based on a true story.

So I’m born and bred in England, and I followed my passion for travel by spending a year in America and Australia. Although that was quite a few years ago, my footprints abroad have led me to have a mixed accent. This has resulted in some kind compliments and some rather hilarious remarks, and it’s even managed to confuse the hell out of some people. However, it is not only my accent that has puzzled people, but my name also appears to have raised a few eyebrows.

I work in a customer services department at a contact centre, and whilst talking to customers on the phone, people generally say, ‘I can’t quite figure out where that accent is from.’ I just say that I spent a year in America and Australia and have held onto the accent longer than necessary’. I do love the crisp and clear pronunciations of the British accent, but I have to say it feels good being different, or should I say sound different.

I wanted to share some of the shocking comments that I have had, as not only has this made my time at work more fun and interesting, but I’m amazed by some of the things people come out with. I can hear the confusion in the customer’s voices, and they seem to be far more interested in trying to figure out where I’m from, what my name means, or where my name originates from rather than dealing with their actual query.

I first started getting praise on my voice in 2013 when I went to work in Australia. I was offered a job working in the customer services department on an island, and this was my first ever trip to Australia (Straya). The majority of the Aussies were just as I imagined them to be, as they reminded me of several characters from Home and Away and Neighbours: adventurous, kind, always fun to be around, and very attractive!

My workplace had an induction day that was mainly based on getting familiar with the people and the culture of living and working on an island. There were at least 30 staff members in total, and I was sitting at a table in the front row. My manager, Louie, was doing a PowerPoint presentation and had asked random people to read a paragraph from his presentation. I remember I was the last person that he asked to read a paragraph from. When I finished the paragraph, I heard someone on my table say ‘wow’. The room was silent, and I was looking at my manager, Louie, who just happened to be staring back at me and was looking rather dazed. His head was slightly tilted to the left, and his arms were crossed. I was getting rather uncomfortable, as I wasn’t really sure what the heck was happening. Around 20 seconds later, I raised my eyebrows and cleared my throat to give him a gesture so that he would change his position. He changed his position and said, ‘Sorry guys. I was just a bit lost there. Priya, you have a really beautiful voice; you know that. Doesn’t she have a great voice, guys?’ I heard everyone in the room saying ‘yes, she does’ or ‘it’s lovely’. I just smiled, as I had never really known anyone to compliment my voice. It’s just my voice and the way that I speak. I just assumed the Aussies had a soft spot for the British accent.

As I worked in customer services, every single call would first come through to our department, so I had already spoken to a lot of staff members but just didn’t see them as much. I lived and worked on the island, and when I would make my way back to my apartment, colleagues would say:

‘You’ve got that twang in your voice that really can’t be compared to anyone. It makes people turn their heads, as they want to know where that charming and unique voice is coming from. It’s calming, reassuring, attention-grabbing, and dare I say, damn right sexy!’

‘I remember you. You’re the one with that amazing voice. That’s something that I will never forget’. ‘You have such a charismatic voice.’ I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little bit like a celebrity at times, as people were praising my talented voice, which I didn’t even know I had’. I honestly just thought it was just the British accent; however, I was told it was a lot more than just my accent.

‘Are you the girl that works in the contact centre?’ ‘Yes, that’s me.’ Oh my God, darl has anyone ever told you about your charming voice? Like how incredible it is? Like seriously, you need to consider working with people that need help; it’s just so soothing. Anyone would feel better after hearing your voice’. I just responded to them, saying, ‘You’re being very kind. My voice is just something new to you because of its accent, that’s all, but thank you. It’s nice to know that my voice is appreciated’. She responded to me, saying, ‘See, well, that’s the thing, love. Even I thought that, but I went to England a few years ago, and I never came across a voice like yours. Seriously, you can make alotta money out of that captivating voice you have. I responded to her, saying, ‘Thank you. I will bear that in mind’.

I was at the diner having lunch, and a few colleagues joined me. There were some familiar faces and some new ones. A guy called Ian asked if he could set next to me, which I was fine with. We started talking about general things like music and food, etc.

Ian then asked me, ‘Where are you from?” I said, ‘I’m from England.’ He said, ‘Do you mind me asking? Was your born there? I did find this a bit odd, as I literally just met this guy, but I remained polite and answered him, saying, ‘Yes, I was born there’. He then said, ‘Your voice is so interesting and uplifting.” I should have known that somehow we were going to talk about this yet again. I did go slightly red whenever someone complimented my secretive voice. I replied, saying, ‘That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you. It must be the British accent’. He said, ‘Priya. I have been working on this island for several years, and I have known a lot of people that have come from England, and none of them can even be compared to your voice. I’ve known people from all over U.K. London, Manchester, and Liverpool, and they all have different accents. Your voice isn’t just about the accent; it’s the poise that you hold when you pronounce your words. Your voice is as smooth as silk, and it’s very sophisticated. It’s nothing but pure joy to the ears!’

Wow, I mean…wow! I placed my hands on my face and covered my nose, as I always seem to do this gesture when I am laughing or really happy. Now that’s what I call a true compliment. ‘Thank you very much!’ with one of the biggest smiles on my face, and I could feel the warmth on my face as I knew I was going red. He said, ‘My pleasure, Priya, my pleasure. I’d love to talk again soon and hear some new words in that voice of yours’. ‘I’m sure you will,’ I replied as he left the table and was picking up his tray. He then walked out of the diner and waved his hand as he left. I remained at the table with my friends and joined a new conversation about our all-time favourite films. This time though I was speaking with even more confidence as I just started to believe in the uniqueness of my voice.

One of my best friends who I met whilst working on the island said to me, Your voice is so beautiful. You can’t keep it to yourself, Priya; you just can’t do that; it’s so selfish. You must share it with the world. You must look into a new career and consider getting a job as a presenter on the radio.

I then started another job a few months later in Melbourne. I was working again in customer service in a 5-star hotel. I asked Mr. how many people will be eating to ensure we provide the right amount of cutlery, and he said, ‘Well, it’s only me, but with a voice like that, I’d love to see what you look like. Why don’t you come up and join me’?

‘Your voice is so crisp and clear. Did you go to a private school?’

We would get rather busy at times, and customers would often get into a conversation with me, asking me where I was from, and I told my colleague that it can get a little annoying to repeat myself. She responded to me as a joke, saying, ‘Try not to sound so posh, Priya’. I responded to her, saying, ‘I don’t try and sound like anything; it’s just the way that my voice is.’.

I just walked into work, and my colleague was telling me that a customer called and was complaining that her meal arrived late. Can you call her and tell her that we have removed the charge for this? I told him, ‘I have literally just walked into work, and if you’ve already been dealing with her, doesn’t it make more sense for you to call her back and deal with this?’ He responded, saying, ‘Priya, this customer does not stop complaining about the same thing, and I was on the phone with her for over 10 minutes talking about the same thing. You’ll definitely be able to mellow her down with your voice. My colleague was right; it did work.

‘Flamin hell, Shelia! You’re obviously not from around here in Aussie are ya. I need to know where you’re from. Where’d you manage to get a voice like that?’

‘If I heard you talking all day, it still wouldn’t be enough.’.

‘Wow, you have such an amazing voice! Do you mind singing me a lullaby?’

After my Australian adventure came to an end, I came back to the U.K. After a few months of unemployment, I managed to get a job in customer service, and the comments have just increased. So here goes:

My greeting at work is ‘Good morning/afternoon/evening, your speaking to Priya. How can I help?’ And before ending the call, I say, ‘You’ve been speaking to Priya for your reference.’.

‘How do you spell your name?’ After I spelt this for the customer phonetically, the customer just responded to me, saying, ‘Okay, well, the thing is Claire.” Now this is where I raise my eyebrows! Claire? Are you serious?

‘Hi Freya’ I get called this all the time, and this is also the same name as one of my favourite clothing brands, which tempts me to just go on the website and check out the new collection.

Just after I said my greeting to this customer, they obviously picked up on my accent and rather aggressively said, ‘This has become so typical! We should be hiring more people from our country to work. I really don’t like dealing with people who are working in God knows which country.’ This customer obviously thought that the company’s customer service was based abroad, which it clearly isn’t. ‘I’m afraid your mistaken, sir, as we are based in the U.K., not abroad, and I was born in this country. I just spent some time travelling, which is why I have an accent’. Rather than apologise, the customer just responded, saying, ‘Right, well, I’m glad that’s cleared things. Now can you help with a letter that I’ve received?’ Honestly? The nerve of some people.

‘What did you say your name was? Sophie?’

‘Priya? Now where does that originate from?’

‘It’s an Indian name’ 

‘Oh, I take it your parent’s love travelling to India then. I just love India as well; I try and go there at least every 5 years. That Aussie actor—what do you call him now? You know that Thor guy—he named his daughter India! I bet it must feel a bit weird for you though, like being white and having an Indian name. Now I hope you don’t get bullied for it, and if you do, just remember its people having a lack of knowledge about different cultures. India is beautiful; I just love it!’

‘What did you say your name was?’

‘Priya’

‘Oh gosh. I’ve never heard of that before?’ I’ve been so tempted to say, ‘Well, I take it you don’t watch Emmerdale then.’ Now I know a lot of my friends abroad will be reading this, so for all of those who don’t know about Emmerdale, it is an award-winning famous British TV program. There was an Indian girl in this program, and her name was also Priya, but even this didn’t help the random comments that I was getting.

‘I’ve been speaking to what? Peterson was that?’

‘No Priya’

‘I don’t know what that is.’ ‘It’s my name, Priya’

‘I still don’t know what that is, and it doesn’t sound important. I have to go now. Bye!’

‘Priya? Well, that’s a rather unusual name?’

‘It’s an Indian name.

‘So are you telling me you’re Indian?’

‘Yes, I am.’

‘No way, man! I would never have thought you’re Indian. You sound like a total white person. You don’t sound Indian at all, like not even a little. How crazy is that!’ 

‘Priya, now if you don’t mind me asking, are you Australian?’

‘I’m not Australian. I just spent some time travelling there.

‘Oh wow. I’m assuming you must have some family over there and stayed with them whilst you were travelling?’

‘No, I went by myself, and I actually didn’t know anyone.’

‘And you’re telling me your family was okay with that?’

‘Of course they were. I was offered a job on an island, which was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I went for it.

‘Wow, I didn’t think it would be safe going to work abroad, especially being a woman and not knowing anyone.’

‘Well, we’re living in a century where even women have landed on the moon, so I guess it really depends on your thinking and what kind of mindset you have!’ This is probably one of my favourite comeback comments that I have ever said. Reckon, I cleared that one up very smoothly. 

‘Priya—now that’s a rather unusual name. Can you tell me what that means?’ I don’t really know why people ask this as if the meaning of my name will make it more familiar.

‘It means ‘beloved.’

‘And where does Priya come from?’

‘I live here in England’

‘No no no. What I mean is that isn’t a typical name. Where does the name Priya come from?

‘It’s an Indian name.

‘Oh well, that’s strange, as you just said that you were from the U.K.—I take it you weren’t born here then?

‘No, I was born here, but my parents were born in India’

‘Right, it’s just for my record so that I can make a bit of sense out of who I’m talking to’. As the customer writes my name, he also writes: Priya, the Indian lady who sounds Australian. ‘Rightio. I know who to ask for when I call back. Cheerio ’

‘Is that an Irish accent?’ Now, as much as I love the Irish accent, I can assure you that I don’t sound Irish at all!

‘Priya now, if I’m not mistaken, that’s an Indian name. Is that correct?’

‘Well, would you be kind enough to tell me why they have changed Bombay to Mumbai? I just don’t understand why they did that’.

‘I’m sorry I don’t know I live in the U.K. and hardly follow the news of what’s happening in India.’

‘Priya, well, now that’s a rather extraordinary name? Where did you get a name like that?’

‘Well, I’m Indian, and it’s a name that my parents chose for me’

‘Oh, right, Indian. You know I just love Indian food. Would you happen to know a recipe for a traditional butter chicken curry? I’ve been trying to make that for so long but can’t quite figure out which spices to use or the best method for cooking.

‘I’m sorry my mom does all the cooking, and she’s a vegetarian.’.

‘Tut tut tut…oh well, that’s a pity!’

‘Are you South African by any chance?’

‘Priya, can you tell me a little bit about your name’

‘It’s an Indian name.

‘Yes, it is.’

‘Ah, so you were born in India?’

‘No, my parents were born in India; I was born in the U.K.’

‘Right, it’s just that it might be interesting for you to do some family research, as people always seem to assume that I am German because my middle name is Archibald, but I’m not German. Did you know that Priya is also the name of an actual goddess in Scandinavia?’

‘No, I didn’t know that at all. Thank you for sharing that with me.

‘Yes, you see, it’s always interesting to do a bit of research to widen your knowledge as you may discover something new about your family background. Now are you sure your Indian Priya?’

‘Yes, I am.’

‘Are these calls recorded by any chance?’

‘Yes, they are.’

‘Well, I guess I have no choice but to believe you then. I hope you discover something out of the ordinary when you do your research. I’ll let you get on with it. Bye for now.’

‘Your voice is so comforting. It’s the same comfort that I feel when I hug my mom’.

‘I have never heard of anyone with such a soothing and calm voice. I hope they are paying you well for your distinctive voice’.

‘Ahh Aussie hey! I thought it was, but I couldn’t quite figure it out. I guess the correct response should be ‘Well, G’day there, Sheila! Let’s put another shrimp on the barbie and have some beer!’

Before finding this job, I was unemployed for a while, and in order to cheer me up, one of my best friends told me to watch the film Valentine’s Day and said that I reminded her of Anne Hathaway. When I was watching it, I just thought she said that I was Anne because of her accent, but she was actually referring to her job and said that I could consider being a sexy call girl, as apparently I have the voice for it. Thanks for the tip, bestie!

‘I know this may sound a bit bizarre, but where are you actually from?’ When a customer wants to know where you are from, of course it’s a bit bizarre.

‘I live here in the U.K.’

‘Oh right, I thought you were from New Zealand.’

‘Sorry, you’re a little off the mark there. I spent a year in Australia and haven’t been to New Zealand but would really like to go there.’

‘I reckon I should definitely go over there, and maybe my voice will become enhanced like yours. Your voice is so attractive. It would definitely tender me throughout the long journey as well. Do you want to come join me and be my tour guide? Hey, we can feed all the kangaroos and drink beer all day’

‘Priya, I take it your Polish?’

‘Now don’t tell me your accent. I want to guess it, as I hardly ever get these wrong. I’m going to say it’s Canadian. I’m sure it is. Tell me I’m right?’

‘Priya I am sorry, I thought you said your name was Peru. Now that’s a rather odd name. I’ve never heard of that before, I must say’.

‘You have such a feminine and delicate voice.’

‘Thank you for all your help, Maria; you’ve been great. Now before I go, may I know which part of Spain you are from? You see, I actually lived in Spain for a few years some time ago, but I never managed to come across anyone with an accent like yours. I’m just so curious to know.’

‘Now I’m assuming you spell your name as Prior. Am I right?’

So there you have it. The joys of being a British Indian with an Aussie accent! I hope you enjoyed it and would love to see your comments and also hear about any similar experiences that you have had.

Embrace your individuality, as my voice has certainly brought a lot of laughter into my life.