a conversation at the mainz hbf

I heard the (still familiar though uncommon these days) clear, clipped North American English accent at the counter at the main train station today and like a total fucking creeper (which I do not even pretend to deny I am) I asked the man where he was from.

Him: The United States.

Me: Yes, but where? So am I.

Him: Yeah, with your accent.

Me: I…I’m from California. The San Francisco Bay Area…?

Him: Oh. Ok. How long have you been here?

Me: Two and a half non-consecutive years.

Him: Cool, so you’re really here. I’m just here for a week from Chicago on business.

I am neither 100% sure he believed me nor certain if this is better than the time a Scottish cashier, upon carding me for the beer I was buying, told me “Wow, I’d never have guessed you were American. You’ve such a nice voice!”

It still begs the question: the fuck do I sound like I’m from?