US Public Bathrooms

[TBoneTX 45,329]

I wonder about those self-flushing toilets. They either go off three times while you're still doing your business, or they fail to go off at all. How useful is THAT?

[Senshin 6]

I don't get it either! When I go use the public toilet (or the bathroom as they say here, why?) I don't want ppl to listen to my business. But here you can hear everything.

But as a very private Dane I often find it hard to find any privacy in this country. One day I walked in on someone using the toilet in my new home, and I was told I should have knocked first by my husband.

Why? There's locks on the doors here too! It's not the first time I've seen it happen, another Dane here (of course) assumed the door would be locked if anyone was there, but no.

I know the locks here are really bad, but not so bad you shouldn't use them if you ask me

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

This is all so true. I think the gaps are getting larger and larger as time goes by. The gaps seem a lot more noticeable to me now. My husband finds it so off-putting and strange and asked me why the American bathrooms allow people to see your private business (or rather doing your private business). I told him I had no idea, but I had a counter question for him about why you have to pay for toilet paper in the Mexican public bathrooms. It was definitely a new and weird experience for me the first time I visited him.

[slangofoil 50]

I hate the gaps in American bathrooms too! In Ireland the bathrom stalls are constructed differently and there are no gaps. Also, most of their stall doors have a sort of levered latch that is WAY less prone to breaking and more secure than the crappy little turn knob on American stall doors.

Such a strange, random difference to find between countries, but it's definitely something I notice all the time now.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The more I think about the more I appreciate the gaps. I also think it helps if someone were to fall ill or pass out, and prevents people from having sex in the stalls. I wouldn't want someone to die on the toilet and no one know they were there.

"Toilet" is a gross word so bathroom is chosen because it's more polite. I actually cringe in Europe when I have to ask where the "toilet" is. Obviously there are no baths in public places, so it can be called a restroom.

I never lock a bathroom door. If the door is closed, the room is in use. I think locking it is gross and rude because what kind of person would try to barge in on a closed bathroom door? Obviously someone is in there.

It takes all types to make the world go round.

[Darnell 8,478]

some us carry a light blanket and duct tape in our carry bags, and 'cover up the crack' when needed.

Duct Tape Rocks !

[Owen_London 65]

The more I think about the more I appreciate the gaps. I also think it helps if someone were to fall ill or pass out, and prevents people from having sex in the stalls. I wouldn't want someone to die on the toilet and no one know they were there.

"Toilet" is a gross word so bathroom is chosen because it's more polite. I actually cringe in Europe when I have to ask where the "toilet" is. Obviously there are no baths in public places, so it can be called a restroom.

I never lock a bathroom door. If the door is closed, the room is in use. I think locking it is gross and rude because what kind of person would try to barge in on a closed bathroom door? Obviously someone is in there.

It takes all types to make the world go round.

That's a very strange argument. Why is "toilet" a gross word? If you want to update your bathroom and you go Home Depot, do you say "Ewww!" every time you see the word "toilet" displayed?

Let's look at it logically: Firstly, if you are at a restaurant and you ask for the bathroom or restroom, are you actually intending to take a bath or take a rest? Secondly, for Americans, the bathroom is where you go to take a poo, for people speaking international English, you go to the toilet. Since words are defined by context, "bathroom" for an American is just as gross a word as "toilet" for a non-American.

There are plenty of American words that make more sense than their international equivalent. This isn't one of them.

Edited June 12, 2013 by Owen_London

[Teddy B 17,252]

That's a very strange argument. Why is "toilet" a gross word? If you want to update your bathroom and you go Home Depot, do you say "Ewww!" every time you see the word "toilet" displayed?

Let's look at it logically: Firstly, if you are at a restaurant and you ask for the bathroom or restroom, are you actually intending to take a bath or take a rest? Secondly, for Americans, the bathroom is where you go to take a poo, for people speaking international English, you go to the toilet. Since words are defined by context, "bathroom" for an American is just as gross a word as "toilet" for a non-American.

There are plenty of American words that make more sense than their international equivalent. This isn't one of them.

No, bathroom is not just as gross as toilet. Bathroom describes the entire room, toilet describes the one part of the room where everyone does their business. Calling it the bathroom is much classier and more acceptable than the toilet. Toilet might be allright for the guys at the bar, but I would never use that term in front of mixed company.

Now Darnell, gimmee that blanket and duct tape please, I gots business to tend to.

[Darnell 8,478]

when i am out of the USA, I ask for the 'WC' and i'm pointed to the bathroom, where i sit on the toilet and have a nice poo.

[Teddy B 17,252]

I just took a road trip to Canada with the Mrs. to visit her family, the public restrooms on I-90 in upstate NY are in need of blanket and duct tape dispensers.

[Darnell 8,478]

'in need'? no la - yer supposed to carry yer own, in yer own carry bag.

Slacker ! No Poo Paper for you, all day today !

[Darnell 8,478]

I wonder about those self-flushing toilets. They either go off three times while you're still doing your business, or they fail to go off at all. How useful is THAT?

I likes it when they go off when I'm still sitting down.

Why ? I tend to fill em up, clog em up. Tis messy afterwards. But to evacuate my evacuation midstream? OMG ! I never have to worry about clogging up the toilet ! It's amazingly wonderful !

Sure, the electronics assemblies are made in China, so I have to worry about replacement parts - but it's GREAT when it's working !

[Teddy B 17,252]

'in need'? no la - yer supposed to carry yer own, in yer own carry bag.

Slacker ! No Poo Paper for you, all day today !

Ok, next time I take my own. You really know yer poop.

All day?? That's gonna be trouble.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

If I go to the restroom, I might be brushing my hair, washing my hands, looking at myself in the mirror, reapplying makeup, etc. There is a bit of mystery as to what I am actually doing there, and I might not be urinating. And yes, I might be taking a rest. In some nicer restrooms, I am thinking especially in old department stores, there is an anterior room with upholstered chairs to relax on.

If I go to the "toilet," then there is no mystery. I get that people call it "toilet" and that it's not gross to you. It's fine.

But I think it's a bit funny to claim to be a private person and then say people are stupid who don't call it a toilet. "Restroom," is, to me, much more private. In some places they call it a "washroom."

So, to answer the question "why??" I am telling you what many people think about the word "toilet."

And to Darnell, I would have thought you carried a towel with you. I used to ask for the WC in France but I gave up and now it's "toilette." Ugh.

Edited June 12, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Darnell 8,478]

no towel, la - not in the washroom !!! I carry little packs of paper , multi-purpose ...

a small blankie and duct tape, that's the gap-closer, always.