I am a native New Englander, born in south Boston, and grew up split between New Hampshire and the southern suburbs of Boston.
I don't have a Boston or New England accent... I pronounce the letter R just fine... Though I do use the words "sure" and "ayup" for "yes" reflexively... something of a New England stereotype.
I am not a southerner, or Texan... though I have lived nearly half my life in the southeast, Texas, and the southwest... and I use "y'all" many times a day. Because it is a very useful word.
I am not a Californian... though I did live in NorCal for several years... but I use "dude" many times a day... because it is a very useful word.
I have culturally appropriated these good and useful words from the south and California, because they were good and useful words, and I am absolutely not sorry about that.
