Wow. This thread grows fast!

NarniaNerd, to answer your question earlier. First of all, in Australia we have crocodiles not alligators (also no alligators in the River Nile, Egypt). I don't live in crocodile-infested waters but I know the occasional tourist may be killed or badly injured by them if they're a bit stupid and don't heed local warnings. Sometimes people may be just be unlucky. Generally local people know where the crocodiles are and what areas to avoid/be especially careful. During breeding season crocodiles are much more aggresive than other times of the year. Really, it's all about using common-sense and being extremely careful.

So I have a question for Russians: do they wear those tall hats, and is dance really important?

For Irishmen: Does everyone really have red hair?

Lu

I'm going to feel unbelievably stupid asking this question but well as they say curiosity killed the cat. Is it true that in America you eat oranges with milk? (meaning that sometimes you drink milk while eating oranges) don't be annoyed with this silly question I just couldn't help myself

Oranges WITH milk??? erm... not really... I mean my family is weird and likes to have oranges after we eat dinner (I have no idea why... but I suspect it's because the Chinese restaurants do the same and my parents picked up on that) and I eat milk with dinner, but I have to wait a while for the taste of milk to get out of my mouth before I go for the orange... Otherwise it's too bitter...

That's what Guy Fawkes is! Sorry, it's just that this year this one guy was wearing a mask on Nov 5th and when I asked him why he had the mask he yelled, "It's November 5th! GUY FAWKES DAY!" (only I heard 'fox' so I thought he was declaring a holiday for a male fox ) and left... always confused me but now I know

How mixed are other countries??? Because in America we're known as the "melting pot" (well that's what I was taught in school... aparently their now teaching children that we're a tossed salad) with immigrants from many countries. But are other countries just as diverse as us??

What are normal traditions for Russian Christmases?

Well, I don't live in Russia but I live in a town that has a lot of people who are Russian Orthodox. So Russian Christmas is fairly big in this town so much so that the public school is closed on that day.

I know that they have what's called a starring celebration. Much like caroling, a group of people go about from house to house and sing traditional songs but they carry with them a star on a handle which is spun while they sing. One of the songs that is sung is called Mno Gaya Leyta (I think I spelled it right). It's a very pretty song.

They exchange gifts like we do on Christmas. A lot of the people here celebrate regular Christmas as well.

wild rose, I hope this is accurate and I'm not muddying the waters. This the way Russian Orthodox people here celebrate Russian Christmas. It could be different actually in Russia.

Here, there aren't really any actual Russian people. When Alaska was first settled, the Russian Orthodox priests came and converted most of the Alaska Natives to Russian Orthodoxy. So, a lot of the Natives celebrate Russian Christmas.

I have a couple questions for you English folk!

Do you call tennis shoes "trainer's shoes"? And do you call a driveway a "freeway"?

So, out of curiosity, what's the difference between a regional accent and accents of different countries? I always just thought that an accent was an accent.

Well an accent of a different country you probably already know. The "Irish accent" would be the stereotypical accent of Ireland, the "Russian accent" would be the stereotypical accent of Russia, etc. But regional accents are the differing accents within the same country.

For example, the accent of our country is commonly known as the "American accent". But we also have regional accents -- the southern "drawl" accent, the Californian "Valley girl" or "surfer dude" accent, the New York accent, etc.

So that's the difference.

~Riella

Outlier, I thought 'Fawkes' was pronounces as 'f-or-x' (forks). Did it really sound like 'fox'?
Australia is known as an incredibly multi-cultural country, possibly moreso than the US.

Outlier, I thought 'Fawkes' was pronounces as 'f-or-x' (forks). Did it really sound like 'fox'?

Well that's how that one guy at my school pronounced it, but I wouldn't count him as the most reliable source for pronunciation

Ok so new question, within these regional accents, are there subregional accents? Because I know a few people from Manhattan, Long Island etc. and they have a different accent than we do in the Capital Region, and I'm not sure but I think there's also slight differences between ours and those in the Adirondacks or in the Fulton-Oswego area.

I know that here in Ohio there are some examples of subregional accents, wolfloveresk. Once one moves further South than Columbus, a very light southern accent (softer than a West Virginian accent and much different from a Northern Kentucky accent) develops, with the accent growing in intensity depending on which state you approach. However, where I live in Northeastern Ohio, we don't have accents (In all reality, we probably sound like Pennsylvanians).

Odd thing about accents: You never notice you have one until someone says that you do. And heck, accents can be differant even if you live less then a hundred miles from the location of the other accent.

Exibit A: I live in northeastern Penslavania, if I were to walk into a Philly pretzel shop and ask for a pretzel it would sound like PRET-ZAL. While in Philly it sounds more like PRET-ZEEL. Its little things like that which would have me saying "Wahha?" in responce.

... well as they say curiosity killed the cat.

But satisfaction brought him back. Your favorite food that mom makes for you when you are feeling sick?

Oranges and milk? That is not something I have a stomach for. However I do like sardines and milk. The scales floating around the top are awesome.

No. Not really.

For all those that have it ... Vegemite. Do you like it?

Peanut butter. I can live off it.

Yes, Vegemite is awesome but my American friends, you must be conscious of how much you spread on your bread. Just a touch with a good dose of butter. That's all you need. I've heard too many horror stories.

Yeah, regional accents are odd. Here in America, they're oftentimes connected to who originally settled an area. I live in Louisiana and you can usually tell when someone is from an area originally settled by Cajuns, because their accent is slightly different.

Yes, Vegemite is awesome but my American friends, you must be conscious of how much you spread on your bread. Just a touch with a good dose of butter. That's all you need. I've heard too many horror stories.

Horror stories? Like what? What happens if you have too much?