Should I speak in the local dialect and/or accent of an area?


I'm planning to go to Tohoku for at least a week, and Lonely Planet,
[Wikitravel](http://wikitravel.org/en/Tohoku#Talk) and
[TVTropes](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TohokuRegionalAccent)
all mention that Tohoku-ben is a bit different from how Tokyoites would speak.
TVTropes also mention that not all Tohoku residents speak in the same way,
either - not relevant to this question, but I don't want to misinform anyone.

What advantages and disadvantages are there in speaking in the local dialect
(ie their vocabulary and grammar) and/or accent (ie how they pronounce words)?

Disadvantages:

  1. If I'm seen as deliberately doing an "zuuzuu-ben" accent, will people think I'm making fun of it? TVTropes mentions that that accent has been made fun of in fiction. It's possible I'll accidentally pick up a Tohoku accent during my stay, but then it'll be the real thing, rather than an exaggeration of it.
  2. I'm more likely to get something new wrong rather than something I've practiced for a while.
  3. A foreigner speaking a local dialect or accent may be seen as a bit silly.

Advantages:

  1. Speaking with a local accent would probably make it easier to understand when other people speak with that accent. For example, if I have previously said "itsu" with a Tohoku accent, then I'll be more likely to understand when someone else says ["itsu" with a Tohoku accent](http://amyamiller.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html). 
  2. Speaking in the local dialect or accent may give the impression the speaker is putting more of an effort into what they're saying, which is seen as respectful.




I agree with Chocolate: it is not expected, regardless of whether the traveler
is a native speaker of Japanese or not. And as a result of doing something
unexpected, some people may interpret it as making fun of the local accent,
because it seems to be the most plausible explanation why anyone from another
area would imitate (probably very poorly) the local accent.

If other people know that you are trying to speak in the local accent in a
sincere attempt to communicate better with locals, then the situation might be
different. But you cannot keep explaining it to everyone you talk to.




I live in Kansai area and speak Kansai-ben, and would not try to speak in
Tohoku accent if I ever stayed in Tohoku for weeks/months, nor would I expect
anyone from Tokyo to speak in Kansai accent when he/she is staying in Kansai
for weeks/months.

