Thursday, 18 April 2013

Toilet Talk

The decor in the washroom at the Peacocks Tearoom in Ely, UK

Conversation I had with a waiter,
Waiter: "Your table will be ready in a few minutes."
Me: "Great, thanks! Um, where is your...toilet" (I find I have to repeat myself if I ask for the washroom)
 Waiter: "Just around that corner. And after you use the toilet just wait over there." I cringed slightly at his use of the word toilet.
WC, loo, restroom, bathroom, washroom, toilet, can, johnny-on-the-spot, crapper, powder room, water closet...a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. I just can't bring myself to accept the use of the term 'toilet' that is so common here in Europe. It just feels too personal, too crass and vulgar! I thought at first it was just me, but I've done a survey of my Canadian expat friends, some whom have been living in London for some time (scientific, I know) and they all agree with me. There is just something cringe worthy and blunt about referring to it as The Toilet.
No, thank you England--I will gladly take on your use of the words 'whilst' and 'bespoke' and even your crazy pronunciation of words that end in wich, but I REFUSE to adopt this one.
I prefer my goings-on in there to be much more vague and euphemistic.

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Fun travels!

1 comment:

  1. It's so true - I use the term 'bathroom' because toilet does sound a little, erm weird!

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