Comments | drop_the_u: Asking about the amenities

la_fono in drop_the_u

Asking about the amenities

Oct 11, 2009 16:43

Hi folks. I have a question regarding toilets/bathrooms ( Read more... )

Comments 37

casusfere October 11 2009, 16:14:18 UTC

Most people will just ask. How some asks really depends on the formality of the situation and the person asking. "May I borrow your bathroom?" would be most polite, where "Dude, where's the john?" would be the really informal version, and there's a ton in between.

If you're in an establishment instead of a home, you'd quietly ask either your host or a staff member where the bathroom is, simple as that.

la_fono October 11 2009, 16:27:41 UTC

Cool, thank you.

thirdblindmouse October 19 2009, 16:39:25 UTC

I wouldn't say "borrow". Usually I'd ask directions to the bathroom, but there are alternatives I'd use depending on location:

In a private home, to be polite: "Mind if I use your bathroom?"
In a small establishment: "Do you have a public restroom?"
In a large establishment: "Could you point me to the ladies' room?" (Or men's room, if I were male.) Some (more old-fashioned?) women say "little girls' room", which IMO sounds more creepy than cutesy... o_O

aiffe April 18 2010, 09:24:43 UTC

Some (more old-fashioned?) women say "little girls' room", which IMO sounds more creepy than cutesy...

OMG, my mom does this. I facepalm.

lydia_golis October 11 2009, 16:14:37 UTC

"Could I use your restroom, please?"

la_fono October 11 2009, 16:27:59 UTC

Thanks. :)

papilio_luna October 11 2009, 16:15:54 UTC

I'd just ask where the restroom was, please. No to-ing and fro-ing necessary. We're a pretty informal people.

la_fono October 11 2009, 16:29:14 UTC

Cheers! I know there being a difference to British usage in the room name, and I thought I'd check I wasn't missing anything else...

87_degrees October 12 2009, 08:03:51 UTC

For some reason, the term restroom amuses me. I know what it means, but I can't help picturing someone pointing a person to the bedroom assuming they want to have a rest.

donutsweeper October 11 2009, 16:18:57 UTC

If it's a polite situation "can you point me to the facilities/restroom?" slightly informally would be asking for the bathroom. Slightly awkward maybe, but usually not too much of an issue.

la_fono October 11 2009, 17:16:57 UTC

Okay. Good to know. Thank you!

katsie October 11 2009, 16:19:15 UTC

Often, especially if someone is at a friend's house for the first time, the question "where's the bathroom?" contains both a request to use it and a request for directions all in one. In a more formal situation (the boss's house or the like), it might be "Excuse me, where is your bathroom?".

la_fono October 11 2009, 17:17:44 UTC

Right, right. *nods* Cheers!