I can't seem to win either, as when in Australia, I'm told I have a kiwi accent, but when at home in NZ, told I have an aussie accent.
When working in the UK, always assumed by others I was an Aussie.
Why can't we all speak (and spell) the Queen's English, as interpreted by aunty BBC.
Only ever meet one American, who spoke proper English, and he was from Boston.
Love listening to all the various dialects and accents from where ever I went in the UK.
Only twice did I not understand, some one when I stopped and aske for directions.
First day in London, asked a very dapper fellow in a suit, bowler and complete with brolly, very financual district, London, but he turned out to be from the middle east somewhere and only had a few words of English, the other when I stopped in the middle of Union Street, Aberdeen, and asked directions. After 3 attempts, thanked the kilt wearing gent, drove around the corner and asked some one else.
But that was before I actually lived and worked in Abredeen.
cheers
vnkiwi