Can someone out there please explain the English obsession of immediately wanting to know where you come from?

On Good Friday, I was in my local launderette, minding my own business, when someone asked me which dryer was the better.

I had barely opened my mouth to answer when I was asked the oft-repeated question: "What sort of an accent do you have? It is not local."

So what! I know my accent is not local. Does that make me less human? I never ask your nationality or religion. If you leave me in peace, I will leave you in peace.

So, give me a chance. I'm not bad. Who knows, you may even get to like me.

-Denise Crilly, Hove