Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Bathroom Basics

Photo courtesy of geniusJonesYour comments on my recent post Chips and Other Confusing Words started me thinking that there was probably more to say on the subject of bathrooms.

Just the word itself is a subject of cross-cultural confusion and discomfort. To a Brit, a bathroom is the place where you have a bath. It took me a long time in the US to get comfortable with asking where the bathroom was when I needed to relieve myself. Conversely, my Wife was quite shocked when in England to hear people ask where the toilet was. In polite company, she might hear a British lady talking about going to powder one's nose, but she might also hear someone announce that she was going to spend a penny. The origin of the previous phrase, incidentally, comes from a time when to enter a stall in a public convenience one would need to insert a penny in a slot in the door.

British slang words for the toilet also include loo (a discussion of possible origins of that word can be found here), khazi (it's likely the origins of this word come from the Italian casa, meaning house), bog, lav (short for lavatory, another common term) and WC, short for Water Closet. British friends visiting America may hear slang words such as head (this is thought to be due to the location of the crew toilet in the bow or head of a ship) or john.

I cannot let this talk about bathrooms go without a little explanation about plumbing, for the benefit of any transatlantic travelers out there. When I first encountered an American toilet, I found it somewhat scary! I thought it was blocked and about to overflow. I have since learned that American toilets have a higher water level than the toilets I was brought up using. Conversely, American travelers to Britain should be aware that yes, British toilets are meant to have a low water level. The water has not drained away. This difference means that British men using flush toilets (as opposed to urinals) in America are forced to subject anyone within earshot to what I refer to as "The Niagara Falls Effect," whereas in Britain, some careful aiming results in a discreet, almost noise-free performance.

On the subject of urinals (sorry Ladies), in the restrooms (I am certainly not going there to rest!) of pubs and other public places in Britain, you will often find a communal along-the-wall urinal, rather than the individual units that are more common in the US.

Then, of course, there is the infamous British love of toilet-humor. More on that later, I think. I need to go wash my hands.

I am a little cautious about opening this one up for public comments and discussion, but please do let us know your thoughts on this subject.

10 comments:

JM said...

An interesting look at these cultural differences. If you find toilet humor amusing, you might enjoy this look at Male Restroom Etiquette: http://tinyurl.com/d7fasz

Graham said...

Thanks for sharing that, @JM - how true!

Traci said...

In Britain, when out for a meal or in the pub, females tend to go to the bathroom in pairs. Is this is a peculiarly British thing or do American females do this too? I suspect the latter - after all, the point of going to the bathroom together is to have a quick gossip, and surely we females are the same the world over!

Graham said...

Oh yes, @Traci - the old going to the loo in pairs trick. Yep, it's the same in the US too.

But you have confirmed what I've thought for a long time - you're just going for a gossip.

Traci said...

I think I gave the secret away - sorry girls!

Cindy said...

Graham, I don't know what to say! Except, "your head is in the toilet!" Haha!

Graham said...

Now you're in trouble, @Traci!

@Cindy - they do say that we Brits are toilet-obsessed!

Gareth Jones said...

Graham - you are welcome to use my image, (and thanks for telling me) but under the terms of the Creative Commons license you must credit me! Thanks. Best, Gareth Jones.

Graham said...

Glad you were satisfied with my solution, @Gareth Jones

Gareth Jones said...

Thanks Graham!