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blondie10 · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 40

Help!

One of my students asked me: What is the most polite or proper way to say "I have to go to the restroom, bathroom, WC, etc." I am at a loss as to say what the most polite or proper phrasing would be. Any suggestions?

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

The most polite way isn't necessarily the most natural way, as we can see from the above example. Also keep in mind that for most people in the UK, NZ and Australia, the bathroom is where we go to take a bath or shower- possible confusion there.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Where I'm from
Mate, gotta drain the Dragon, where's the nearest tree?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

blondie,
A lot will depend on the age of the student and where he/she is.

School: many places say lavatory.
Shop: many places say rest room, WC, or toilet (country-specific)
Home: toilet, bathroom (country-specific)

Some people are used to saying, Where's the little boys'/girls' room?

What are the circumstances? A toddler who needs to go, or an adult? Classroom or public facility?

Answers will vary.

My two generic answers:
Excuse me, teacher, but I have to use the (insert country-specific word).
Excuse me, [insert friend or acquaintance or storekeeper name], but could you tell me where the (country-specific word) is?

Bozo Yoroshiku · Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 9:24 am Post subject:

callmesim · Joined: 27 Oct 2005 Posts: 279 Location: London, UK

"Excuse me, where's the toilet?" if you're after the location.
"Excuse me, may I go to the toilet?" if you're asking permission.

Saying toilet won't confuse anyone. Nor will bathroom in most cases. If someone asked me where the bathroom was, I wouldn't direct them to a seperate bathroom area. Unless they were a eejit and I felt like having fun.

wintersweet · Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 6:05 pm Post subject:

I think "restroom," "men's room," or "ladies' room" is more polite than "toilet" (at least in the US). I usually say "Excuse me, where is the ladies' room?" I have no idea what I'd say to a teacher--guess I've been out of high school too long (never had to *ask* in college/grad school). I suppose "May I go to the restroom?" would be OK.

konyoku · Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 12:10 am Post subject:

I think a simple note slipped unobtrusively to the teacher would suffice; if that doesn't work, then a decibel count on the sensitivity levels of the teacher should be tested.

OR

"Teacher, I'd like to request a temporary leave of absence. If I'm not back in 15 minutes, please call the plumber."

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

"Gotta go and milk the maggot"
"Gotta go and unleash the trouser snake"
"Gotta go and shake hands with the unemployed"

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

"Gotta see a man about a horse"
"Gotta drain the dragon."
"Looks like I need to drop off a few baked potatoes."
"Must gather some firewood and leave behind the petrified wood."

Or the classic, "I need to take a dump."

Like a Rolling Stone · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 872

Eva Pilot · Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 5:00 am Post subject:

The students I teach are taught to ask "May I use the bathroom?"

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Like a Rolling Stone · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 872

Maybe i am maive but maybe you are if you believe everything you read in wikipedia. 'To see a man, to see a man about a dog'. Who wrote that? YOU?
What do you say if you really are going to see a man about a horse? I am going to the stables now and i'm going to take a whizz in the paddock?
I think we should teach our students words more useful then that.