| Author |  Topic  |
scamhammer
 100 Posts
Joined: 21 Dec 2003
Status: offline |  Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 10:53:52  
|
It is most annoying that the US tern “rest room” is now to be seen in British-owned hotels in the UK. Why can Americans not say the word “toilet”.
The most ridiculous example was when an Orlando newscaster last month referred to turtles “going to the bathroom” on Daytona Beach.
| | Report this post to a moderator |
|
tinkerbell
 522 Posts
Joined: 27 Mar 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 11:38:09
| | I think it's much more civilised to announce at dinner you're paying a visit to the restroom than the 'toilet'. We're not do big on politeness here, that apparent from the second you land in the country. |
Tink | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
|
florida4sun
 United Kingdom
7071 Posts
Joined: 16 Feb 2002
Status: offline | |
tinkerbell
522 Posts
Joined: 27 Mar 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 14:58:59
| Yeah unfortunately so, I think it's easy to forget as you pointed out Martin, that the USA is a foreign country and we as visitors shoud respect that. I do think that british tourists can sometimes be the worst, as we do tend to look for signs of home everywhere! I already said in another thread that only british tourists would pay over the top prices for a packet of Walkers crisps on a two week break! I personally want to experience the local culture of a place when I am away from home rather than try to recreate my homeland!
I can honestly say though martin, I've yet to meet someone that says they are going to the powder room! |
Tink | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
|
blott
 United Kingdom
22287 Posts
Joined: 22 Feb 2002
Status: offline | |
MMFAN
 USA
1993 Posts
Joined: 12 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 15:25:08
| | You have to appreciate that to an American, the word toilet refers to the the actual fixture. So asking where the toilets are feels kind of crude if you can look at it from an American's point of view. When I go to the UK I use British terms (to the extent I know them), knowing that although it sounds strange to me, I am the visitor. That's part of the fun of being someplace other than home! |
Stuart
http://www.orlandovillas.com/villas/118.aspx | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
|
tinkerbell
522 Posts
Joined: 27 Mar 2002
Status: offline | |
esprit
 USA
6888 Posts
Joined: 11 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 16:22:15
| Being in the toilet business as a janitorial company, I can tell you that bathroom is the most commonly used name for what we call a loo. Fairly confusing for us as no bath in there. Realtors in Celebration refer to them as powder rooms. Kids seem to refer to it as "potty".
There are all sorts of pseudonoyms given on loo doors here also, such as guys and dolls, cowboys and cowgirls ete etc. |
Julie | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
|
chrizzy100
 USA
7231 Posts
Joined: 26 May 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 16:28:06
| quote:
Originally posted by tinkerbell
Yeah unfortunately so, I think it's easy to forget as you pointed out Martin, that the USA is a foreign country and we as visitors shoud respect that. I do think that british tourists can sometimes be the worst, as we do tend to look for signs of home everywhere! I already said in another thread that only british tourists would pay over the top prices for a packet of Walkers crisps on a two week break! I personally want to experience the local culture of a place when I am away from home rather than try to recreate my homeland!
I can honestly say though martin, I've yet to meet someone that says they are going to the powder room!
If you come to the Cape and ask for the Loo....you'll find people here now know what that is......Americans love English words.....and spend time learning them.....I'd not be worried about just being English...and using words you use at home....
 | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
|
bellaepovera
 Italy
1966 Posts
Joined: 25 Jul 2002
Status: offline | |
Nostromo
 United Kingdom
4015 Posts
Joined: 20 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 09 Feb 2004 : 22:29:18
| quote:
Originally posted by tinkerbell
Same here Stuart, as the saying goes..... 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do!'
Sure. I like to annoy my wife by saying "Appreeeeciaaaated" instead of boring old "Thank You" whenever we are in the USA. But I have to admit that there is one American expression that does annoy me a bit - that is the way they say "right" instead of "yes". |
Nostromo | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
|
tinkerbell
522 Posts
Joined: 27 Mar 2002
Status: offline | |
bellaepovera
Italy
1966 Posts
Joined: 25 Jul 2002
Status: offline | |
Pikey1999
 United Kingdom
160 Posts
Joined: 28 Dec 2003
Status: offline | |
flyrr100
 USA
742 Posts
Joined: 06 Jun 2004
Status: offline | |
Nostromo
United Kingdom
4015 Posts
Joined: 20 Jun 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 16 Jul 2004 : 21:00:24
| quote:
Originally posted by flyrr100
One thing you won't find in a British loo is a machine for rubbers! (Why do I want to erase anything in here?)
Of course you do! They're there in all the male loos of most pubs, M-way service places etc. I can understand the ones in the pub, but I am still stuggling to figure out their presence in the M-Way stops. Most people drive-on, don't they? |
Nostromo | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
|
porky
 United Kingdom
1001 Posts
Joined: 11 Feb 2002
Status: offline | |
chrisj
 United Kingdom
3273 Posts
Joined: 28 May 2003
Status: offline | |
blott
United Kingdom
22287 Posts
Joined: 22 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 17 Jul 2004 : 12:05:00
| quote:
Originally posted by chrisj
I can confirm they are in the ladies loos, wont eplain how I know but I do 
Yes you're right, they are. You're always dropping little comments in like that in and then clamming up, leaving everyone else's mind boggling (well, mine is anyway!).
Personally I think Jeff was having a double entendre moment?  If you ask for a rubber in a store in Florida, you'll get an eraser?  That's my theory anyway! |
Blott
www.orlandovillas.com/villas/150.aspx
| | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
|
chrisj
United Kingdom
3273 Posts
Joined: 28 May 2003
Status: offline | |
blott
United Kingdom
22287 Posts
Joined: 22 Feb 2002
Status: offline | |
| Topic | |
Go to first unread post
Toilet talk
