Right on, QuiltE, each region or country has its own flavored way of speaking. I was raised in the Mid-West, travelled South of the Mason-Dickson line and discovered a whole new way of speaking and local speech; it was said slowly, and the dh were "Mr." in public. Then off to Northen Illinois, where their speech was quick and fast, and they claimed I talked sooo slow. But in Texas, the guidance counselor told me, "I cannot understand a word that you say!!" I doubt if she meant it as a compliment. We tend to "pick" up the regional speech wherever we are except of QB, where we can be truly "ourself" world-wide. One on one people can make a big difference toward world peace. But please understand, I, at least, cannot control what the government does in this country. That is a whole another big topic better not said here. We have dreamed of going to Canada or elsewhere.