I think that some people code switch more than others. I have a theory that it has to do with musicality. My daughter and I have perfect pitch, and we code switch constantly, depending on who we’re talking to. We live in a really diverse country (Israel), but grew up in America, so we’re switching all over the place.

My husband, on the other hand, is a loud, pompous sounding Londoner, and is literally tone deaf. He only has one style of talking, and “if you don’t understand him, then you don’t speak properly.” He’s the epitome of the white privileged male (I’m working on him, he’s gotten better, but there’s a long way to go.)

My daughter and I can get along with anyone within a few sentences, as soon as we recognize their language patterns and cultural background, and we manage to communicate pretty seamlessly.

I count myself fortunate that I don’t have to worry about my life depending on the ability to “sound white”, and I realize that my situation cannot compare with the pressure on African Americans to “not scare the white folk”. My switching is a luxury, for you, it’s survival. As a Jew I have to be careful not to offend my Muslim neighbors, but it’s still not the same thing.