Why are Americans so fascinated with British Accents?

After spending my holidays last year in New York City, I got a lot of attention from people because of my accent for some reason. Is this with all Americans and why do they like British Accents so much?

I'm pretty sure it's just the quirk of an uncommon accent, the same would happen over here if say an American was in Glasgow.

That's presumptuous

Americans think it sounds cool/different.

Couldn't tell ya, I think you brits all sound silly myself. :P

@ganon15:

For the same reason "Retro" is all the rage. "The Queen's English" is where it all began for us here in America. After all, our Founding Fathers were all British subjects.

Thus the fascination. IMO.

Because being an upper class English guy is awesome.

People here in the US are obsessed with my Australian accent too so I guess it's just different accents are exotic and exciting

@ganon15: It's not just Americans, it's a thing with Canadians too, especially among women.

People seem to associate British accents with being refined and intellectual. I'm not entirely sure why, but if it helps it's generally an upper-class British accent that's associated with that.

YEAAAAAH!

British accents are sexy as hell!

I am mexican guy and i like their accent more, i have less problem to understand their acccents.

I have bigger problem with american accents that the ones from the UK.

I'm going with this.

I watched Brave and ended up enjoying it simply because the main character's Scottish accent was so fascinating.

I really couldn’t tell ya; though, I think it has more to do with accents, in general, than any single British accent. It probably has something to do with Hollywood’s portrayal of American English as the base-line­ accent in the world. So, to us, the US has no accent, or a bunch of boring ones, making the majority of us more fascinated in those from other countries.

Also, a lot of Americans are probably more fascinated in that both the US and UK speak English, but may not necessarily understand one another in a general conversation.

Whatever the reason, to me, accents are just accents; neither boring, nor fascinating.

Mid Atlantic English Accent is better.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Atlantic_English

Frasier and Niles Cranse used this, so did Orwon Welles.

Because it's different and exciting and James Bond has one.

I have a thing for Japanese chicks. But British accents only interest me in rock bands.

I wish I sounded like Klaus from Vampire Diares.

Makes them sound clever. :)

@geekyeverafter: yes yes

It is so fun and cool sounding. I'm think that about almost all accents.

Most Americans secretly want to be British. That's why. Don't deny.

I like people with that hint of a British accent. Some of them are annoying though. I saw Adele in an interview and couldn't understand what the hell she was saying haha. I prefer Irish and Scottish accents. They're warm and friendly with a touch of silly.

British accents are sexy beyond belief.

There is no denying it. Benedict Cumberbatch's voice is orgasm inducing.

So when I see an attractive woman who is say on the rating scale a solid 7 and then hear her speak with a British accent, she immediately increases to a solid 8.

For dudes I couldn't care less.

My friends allow me to explain with pictures.

This is what you expect when you hear a proper British Accent:

This is what you expect from an american accent:

I am not the least bit fascinated by accents.

I wish pepole would be more specific than a "British accent"

Trying to figure out what they are saying or picturing mr. monopoly or staring at bad teeth.

pepole? well I'm from London, so I have a London accent.

I mean when pepole say "Oh I love/hate British accents"

Good luck if you are looking for such specificity from an American.

By British I mean English and by English I mean any of the various dialects spoken in the British Isles not including Scottish or Irish.

I love threads where the OP makes an assumption about a subjective topic

lol I think they are annoying. No offense.

I've never heard anyone say they liked an English accent.

@ganon15: I have no fascination with British accents, but I am baffled by Norwegian accents. No offence intended to any Norwegian viners here. I'm sure my accent would sound weird to you too.

Girls seem to find it sexy for some reason. I don't really care too much. Russian accents is where it's at.

Oi mate, lets bloody tash on with some lasses eh, bang em birds an get mortal.

They like pretending you're Benedict Cumberbatch. Once they realize you're not the living god, they lose interest.

Probably because it all links back to history since America has a short history. The British accent is historical artifact that can link Americans (as well as others) to a time that their culture doesn't have. But on a personal note, I'm not sure if many people will find my New Zealand accent interesting.

Google translate.

Pretty much this.

Well yeah when I went to New York earlier this year if I spoke to the shop assistant abit or the women behind the till they always were like "oh my you're from England, 25% off anything you buy" and I was thinking do they do that for all foreigners?

@ganon15: "Facking el blaad" « This fascinates me.

Only white ones.

Brunette/Brown eyed ladies with English accents are yummy. :D

When I was in London a year or so back, all the chicks loved my 'accent'. I was born in America....but, then again, i've lived in over 3 different countries, and 5 different states......

I think it's interesting. Makes people sound "smarter" plus I love Sarah Douglas from uk gaming :) lol she's so hot and her little english accent is so hot.