Hey Newbie!!! Like you said...I thought my parents' friends from San Jose had accents. I'm sure they thought the same of me and my little redneck self. LOL
I think every region has their own unique accent. Take the Louisiana for example...we've got tons of different accents here. From cajun to redneck to valley girl (that's what I've been told I sound like...hehehe) to our version of the Boston accent...We have it all.
Wine and blue...I have to agree. Y'all used in a sentence can get you just about anything or get you anywhere you want to go!!! I love being from the south and having the accent to prove it.
Allison