The thing is, despite the fact that Americans might seem accent-free at first glance, they actually have them. More precisely, they can tell who has an accent and what kind it is. Moreover, they can tell where you're from. While in Britain, for example, you can distinguish the different accents of Scots, English, or Irish people, here there are about as many accents as there are states, since almost every state has its own dialect or something similar. Therefore, every local, upon meeting a non-local, will immediately guess where they are from. Naturally, this applies even more to foreigners.

At the beginning of the season, before all our Romanians arrived, I had to work a few shifts at an ice cream shop, which is, in fact, a great chance to chat with customers. As I mentioned earlier, the start of the season means fewer customers, so there were either no lines at all or they were tiny. Because of this, I worked alone calmly, and the Americans had time to chat with me. A typical carbon-copy situation:

Customers, choosing their ice cream flavor for a long time, ask about the merits of one or the other and exchange glances, realizing that something is off about me. Finally, you give them their order, and there they stand, whispering to each other, glancing at you. And then the head of the family will definitely ask:

-Where are you from? (Yes, this isn't Britain, where everything is done with a "Sorry" or "Excuse me." At the beginning of my stay here, I tried to communicate politely, but they looked at me like an idiot. They don't really shine with that here.)

-Uzbekistan. (At this moment, I usually start pouring out words about what a wonderful program this is, that students from all over the world come...)

-Pakistan?

-Uzbekistan...

-Pakistan?

-Uzbekistan.

-Aah...

-(I smile)

-Paaakistaaann

-Yes, yes, Pakistan. (At this point, there is nothing left to do but agree.)

Although it is pleasant to communicate with Americans. They are always friendly to foreign workers, but, of course, one should not forget about other customers at that moment. And by the way, realizing that we travel across the ocean to work there, the locals leave good tips. So cherish your accent. They say it helps.

Well, it happened that I met Russians in those places. Well, of course, for many on this site this is not news, but for Glacier Park, Russians are a rarity. I met one of them just while working in that same ice cream shop. She has been married to an American for many years and lives in Chicago, and they came to Montana for some conference. How funny it was to watch her husband's bewilderment when we spoke in our native language.

I met another couple closer to the end of the season, when one of the Romanian waitresses came to the kitchen and asked how to say "thank you" and "come again" in Russian. Well, letting go of my bewilderment, I went out to the dining room to meet that table. There was a pair of Russian friends. A girl who has lived in the States for a long time and her friend who came to visit from Moscow. A few days later, it happened that I had to take the grill position and cook trout, which I had never fried before. But at that moment, no one but me could do it. Well, knowing the theory, I fried it and sent it to the dining room, and later, looking out the window, I saw that guy. I went out to him and realized that the very trout was for him. You know what? He was delighted. My self-esteem was at its peak at that moment. Unfortunately, he was leaving that day and didn't come back, but I am glad that I fed him well at the last minute, considering that he is a chef himself.