"When you Gotta Go ..."
@owlwings (43897)
Cambridge, England
October 4, 2015 5:43am CST
... which door do you choose?
Toilets, bathroom, WC, restroom, conveniences, heads, jakes, cloakroom (and many others) may be your first indication of where you need to head but when you get there, there may be one, two or even three doors with words or just symbols on them.
You may not be confused about your gender but which door is the right one for you?
"Fir" or "Mna"
"Dynion" or "Merched"
"Bucks" or "Does"
"Cocks" or "Hens"
"Setters" or "Pointers"
All of these (and plenty more) are liable to be found at least somewhere in the United Kingdom alone!
What experiences (humorous or embarrassing or just plain confused) have you had when using the 'place of easement' and do you agree (or maybe you don't) that most of the euphemisms are just plain silly? Where is the bath in the bathroom? Are you really 'resting' when you are doing whatever you do in the 'restroom'?
13 people like this
15 responses
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
4 Oct 15
"Family Room" would suggest to me that I'm entirely in the wrong place (except, of course, if my nose told me otherwise). Here it would indicate more a part of the pub where children are allowed rather than tolerated.
Except in very small places, I have yet to encounter "gender neutral" facilities and would be a little unsure about how they might work if there's more than one stall in the same room.
Yes, embarrassment is much more to do with what other people might think than with what one thinks oneself and men are considerably less embarrassed by the presence of a female toilet attendant (what do you call them in Canada?) than women would be by a male one.
2 people like this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
7 Oct 15
Most I have visited so far at airports and hotels always have had the right directions. I have never entered a 'men's; toilet ever.
And as for calling it a bathroom or restroom well, that is what English is all about. Then you go there to powder your nose.......................
3 people like this
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
7 Oct 15
I think that only ladies would powder their nose. Men will "have to see a man about a dog" or (more directly) "splash their boots".
@allknowing (153544)
• India
7 Oct 15
@owlwings I had this Anglo Indian friend who would she went to visit Aunt Jane or some such thing. What is the harm in just saying 'I am going to the toilet'
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
4 Oct 15
There is an australian themed restaurant we've been to once or twice. I forget what the men's room says, probably just Gents or something, but the women's room says Sheilas. It was slightly confusing the first time I went there.
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
7 Oct 15
The male equivalent was probably either 'Blokes' or 'Bruces' 
@Teep11 (7673)
• United States
15 Oct 15
All I know is, I've had to rush in the men's restroom before, I had to go and the women's restroom was out of order. Go figure. I don't know about the United Kingdom. I've never been there so I can't say. Bathrooms are for homes and buildings that have bathrooms in them. Other then that. They're called restrooms.
2 people like this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
13 Oct 15
Since I have a bladder problem finding the facilities, as we call them here, has to be done rather quickly at times. If the women's bathrooms are what is available then I make use of them. They are not much different than men's.
At times, I have been surprised to find a woman in a man's bathroom. I guess they had an urgent call and I can understand that.
When one has to go, they just have to go! 
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230351)
• Chile
5 Nov 15
It seems that in my country, besides the name, there are only 2 pictures. I go to the picture with the dress although I never use dresses
1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22085)
• United States
13 Oct 15
It depends upon how badly I have to use the "facilities" and what condition they are in. First, I do not like using public "rest rooms", so I avoid it if at all possible. Second, if it really is a necessity, then I have been known to use the one with the shortest line, which usually is not the one that a "traditional girl flower" would choose.
Third, if it is not at least relatively clean, then I will try to find other accommodations that will (hopefully) not get me arrested.
Third, if it is not at least relatively clean, then I will try to find other accommodations that will (hopefully) not get me arrested.
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
7 Oct 15
That was entertaining. I don't think I've run into one that I didn't understand but on you list there were a few I would be scratching my head over. I look for the image with a skirt on here in Canada nad the US,
