Do you talk "up" or "down" depending on who your dealing with?

Question

For example, people from inner cities or rural areas that went to college and became professionals. Do you talk "down" (e.g., use non-standard English) to less-educated friends or relatives and "up" while talking to superiors and potential business partners (e.g., the "Queen's English")? Or do you talk the same, regardless of where you are?

Answer 1

oooh, hard question to admit to, but yeah I do. I work at a restaurant, so we get a lot of intelligent people on their lunch break, and then we get total IDIOTS in that you have to explain what every single item on the menu is... I totally talk "up or down" to people....

Answer 2

I would not really call it "talking up or down" it is actually called speaking in the vernacular.  In other words, you are communicating with someone in their language, culture, or slang. This just shows good communication skills IF someone can do it without offending a person.  

Answer 3

I don't think it's about talking "up or down" but it' about speaking in a way you think that culture or person can understand.  It's no different than talking to someone from another country.  You try to explain things or have conversations with them in a way they will comprehend.  

Or if you are an expert in your career, but you are talking to someone who is not familiar with your career (i.e. doctor, lawyer, janitor, mechanic) you talk in layman terms so the person can understand you.  If a doctor told you what was wrong with you in medical terminology you would be scratching yur head.  But they are trained to break it down in basic terms.  There is nothing wrong with that.

If I am with my friends I do talk more relaxed than in my professional environment.  I do have a business voice and a casual voice.