rissama
Senior Travel Member
"What is hodie Latin for?" "Today." "What's a good way to remember that?" "Ho. Die. Today."
Posts: 78
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Post by rissama on Aug 10, 2007 20:38:25 GMT -5
OK, so i heard that bathrooms in Europe are not gender specific. Is that true?
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Post by pointofnoreturn on Aug 10, 2007 21:17:39 GMT -5
Hmm... I don't know about that... maybe in the smaller towns, there'll only be one restroom?
But wherever I went, there was always a ladies' and men's room - separate of course.
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Post by Eagle on Aug 10, 2007 23:58:55 GMT -5
rissama, In my experience so far, all the public bathrooms I've encountered have been gender-specific. I also saw an example of the dreaded "porcelain footprints" style of toilet in one location in Italy, but fortunately I didn't have to use it! However, in some of the Hotels I stayed at there was a "common" bathroom on each floor, and this was shared by all guests on that floor, regardless of gender (the individual rooms only had a sink and in some cases a shower).
Cheers!
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rissama
Senior Travel Member
"What is hodie Latin for?" "Today." "What's a good way to remember that?" "Ho. Die. Today."
Posts: 78
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Post by rissama on Aug 12, 2007 12:59:24 GMT -5
ok, I just heard from a few different sources that they weren't specific. I wasn't really worried about it, but one of my friend was.
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Post by MuvverRussia on Aug 12, 2007 15:50:41 GMT -5
By bathrooms do you mean toilets, or bathrooms as in showers etc?
Eagle's advice is, as usual, spot on, although in some smaller places you may find there's just one shared bathroom (toilet). To be honest, I wouldn't worry about it.
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Post by me on Aug 12, 2007 17:11:11 GMT -5
By bathrooms do you mean toilets, or bathrooms as in showers etc? Eagle's advice is, as usual, spot on, although in some smaller places you may find there's just one shared bathroom (toilet). To be honest, I wouldn't worry about it. spot on, Chris. euphemisms are common in North America. saying "bathroom" or "restroom" for "toilet" is almost universal. also, in the States, the word "toilet" is often just the porcelain plumbing on which one sits, not a reference to the room where it's located. perhaps that's why the other euphemisms are so common here? |
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Post by pointofnoreturn on Aug 12, 2007 18:34:59 GMT -5
Bathrooms, restrooms, washrooms, toilets, powder rooms... it all depends on the country! Europe-wise, toilet is probably the most common but here in Canada, bathroom (home/hotel), washroom (at someone's house using their toilet) and restroom (public bathroom/restaurant) are all widely used.... I don't like using the word "toilet" because it sounds kind of gross. My dad and his family does use the term because they're British. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people use the term as well. I just realized my reply is totally random and... whatever?  |
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Post by Eagle on Aug 12, 2007 22:07:56 GMT -5
Just to add another "random comment" to the discussion, one of the most common terms I've found to describe bathrooms / restrooms in Europe are the two letters WC (an abbreviation for Water Closet, AFAIK). One also has to be aware of "unofficial" terminology such as "the Loo" (from the U.K. I believe?).
Cheers all!
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Post by freshsprout on Aug 18, 2007 23:26:27 GMT -5
<<Just to add another "random comment" to the discussion, one of the most common terms I've found to describe bathrooms / restrooms in Europe are the two letters WC (an abbreviation for Water Closet, AFAIK). >> Eagle, TOO funny you should bring this up b/c I did once ask where the "W.C" was in Paris and people thought I was totally crazy!  Why did I learn that in French class? Maybe I butchered it. Anyway, but um yeah, I'm not gonna do that anymore. lol. But to comment Rissama, if to ease your mind - you may consider buying some toilet paper seat covers from an outdoor store or www.campmor.com - they're cheap and come 10 in a pack. I brought one on my trip to Europe.. and didn't end up using it at ALL. Most of the bathrooms I ventured in were pretty clean (esp. in Germany) so honestly, I don't think it's much of a problem. Irene |
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Post by pointofnoreturn on Aug 19, 2007 8:30:07 GMT -5
Pick up a travel pack of kleenex as well! You'll be forever grateful because some places have NO toilet paper at all!
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rissama
Senior Travel Member
"What is hodie Latin for?" "Today." "What's a good way to remember that?" "Ho. Die. Today."
Posts: 78
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Post by rissama on Aug 19, 2007 13:42:48 GMT -5
like i said, i wasn't concerned, my friend Em was.
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Why did I learn that in French class? Maybe I butchered it. Anyway, but um yeah, I'm not gonna do that anymore. lol.