Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi, everyone.

I understand toilets are called bathrooms in North America.
If so, are the toilets in public places also called "bathrooms?"
For example, it it OK to say," Excuse me, but I'm lookin for a bathroom" when you're in public places such as a park, departmentstore, or theater?

Thank you!

yoshi-pooh

[ESL-ish]

Well, yes, you could ask about the bathroom. Everyone would understand you.
But in a public context it would be better to ask for the "restroom","public restroom", or the "ladies room" / "men's room".
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[yoshi-pooh]

Thanks again, ESL-ish.

In my native language Japanese, the most popular expression for "toilet" is TOIRE, which is originally from English "toilet". I think this is because forign-origin words sound more indirect to us.

yoshi-pooh,