This is what happens when I travel in the U.S. I skip along, feeling right at home. Everything seems familiar. People are friendly, even when they have no idea what I want when I ask for the “washroom”; the streets seem just like those of any North American town; my daughter’s pop stations play the same music. Then, just as I’ve been lulled into complacency, something entirely “other” appears.
This, for example, at the grocery store:
Or, at the county fair:
The U.S. is such a fun place to visit. But there are disconcerting signs that say, “you are not at home.”
And why is washroom so confusing? If Americans thought for just one second, couldn’t they figure it out?
We’re pretty darn lucky to live here…..with our pop, couches and washrooms, eh!
Re the washroom thing: travelling anywhere makes me realize how polite/reserved we Canadians are. We should probably just call it like it is, and say “toilet”!
Then again, according to this (not necessarily reliable) source, more people are washing their hands in Canada. Maybe “washroom” serves as a subliminal message… http://www.mindspotresearch.com/blog/how-many-people-wash-their-hands-after-using-a-public-restroom/
I heard of people who found themselves in the laundry, after having asked for the washroom. And restroom? Come on, what are you doing there, taking a nap?
I imagine Swiss German goes the straightforward route, Bettina? 🙂
Yes, we just call it ‘toilet’. No verbal frills….