DEAR ABBY: I am a Southern girl born in Virginia, now living in Florida. I have an accent. Why is it that people make fun of your accent when you are from the South, but not from up North? -- PONDERING IN FLORIDA
DEAR PONDERING: I'm not sure your assumption is correct. I have heard people imitate Boston and New York accents as well as Southern accents. Years ago, an Australian gentleman used his "American accent" on me, and had me fooled for about 15 minutes. I assume people do this because they think it's funny and not out of a desire to hurt anyone's feelings.
P.S. Isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery?