OT - Please Help Ladies!! Restroom Etiquette - Your Opinions Needed!!

Marie Lewis wrote:

Just as a matter of interest, why do Americans use euphemisms like "
rest room" and "bath room?"

No criticism intended: I am just interested.

To explain to those who do not know, the British term "loo" comes from
the old cry "Garde à l'eau", distorted to "Gardez-loo". This meant
"look out for the water" as people in earlier centuries emptied their
chamber pots into the street below!

We also use "toilet" (the usual term), "bog" (which is slightly
improper) "lavatory" which is incorrect, of course and other terms.

The English also use euphemisms like W.C. or water closet, because
that's one of it's names. When private rooms for this purpose became
fashionable in the 16th century, they were refered to by the English as
"the room of ease" which is where rest room came from. The English also
called it the Chapel, because of the quiet contemplation that occurs
therein. There is some speculation that many of the so-called Priest
Holes installed in historic homes are refitted rooms for a close-stool.
(A close-stool is a wooden box designed to hold a chamberpot within and
be sat on comfortably. The lid is locked so only the owner can use it.)

Lavatory is correct, if you wash your hands.

Most Americans have a bath in the bathroom. We have other plumbing in
there too, but that's the origin of the name. It was a luxury to have a
separate room for a bath.

Personally, I kind of like the origin of Privy Counsel.

-georg
plumbing historian

Marie Lewis wrote:

In article , georg
writes

But I don't want a man in the women's bathroom, with or without small
child in tow.



Why? What are disabled people meant to do?

You missed the part in my missive where I made exception for disabled
people.

-georg

I think its a little different. Is there a reason why a person who is
physically challenged cannot wait a few moments for the current occupant to
finish their business? The handicapped stalls are made to insure the
physically challenged people ease of use. I dont believe they were made to
guarentee them a stall.
Taking a handicap parking space deprives those in genuine need of a
parking spot for an indefinite period of time and is not only illegal, but
rude and thoughtless as well.
Diana
--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44

"Marie Lewis" wrote in message
...
In article . net,
Jalynne writes
She will take him in, and try to use the wheelchair accessable stall
(heck, i use that stall with my own child)


Please! do not do this. It is only one step from using disabled
people's parking spots.
--
Marie Lewis

Marie Lewis wrote:

Just as a matter of interest, why do Americans use euphemisms like "
rest room" and "bath room?"

The words start out as euphemisms, but everyone quickly learns what they
mean, and they start being normal words again. It is like any slang
that sounds cool or odd or inappropriate at first and then becomes so
ordinary as to be heard in the news.

No one wants to be crude (well, some do) so we don't get up from the
dinner table saying "I'm going to go ****." That's accurate but
impolite. Instead, we say "I need the ladies' room" or "just a moment
while I wash my hands" or "excuse me." Everyone can guess what's going
on, but there's no reason to dwell on it. Everyone has preferences for
what euphemisms they like. Personally, I can't stand "powder my nose,"
but that's just me.

In the U.S. we say "bathroom" for the toilet in a private home (even if
the bath is somewhere else) and either "restroom" or "men's room" or
"ladies' room" for the toilet in a public place such as shopping mall or
restaurant. I've also seen "public facilities" on a sign, but that's
newer, and I didn't know what it meant at first.

In Canada, they say "washroom."

You also asked about people who don't use wheelchairs using the stall
designed for them. In the vast number of public restrooms, there will
be a line of women waiting for a free stall. None of them use
wheelchairs. What on earth is the purpose of leaving the one stall
empty? Of course if someone in a wheelchair came in she could use it
the second it was available without waiting in line, but not using a
functioning toilet when one has to go strikes me as silly. It isn't as
though I'm hurting the disabled person by using the empty stall, not
when she's not there. And this has nothing to do with parking spots. I
AM hurting the disabled person by using the parking spot. By taking the
space, it isn't available when the disabled person drives up.

--Lia

Thank you for this illuminating discourse about the throne room.. the head..
the privy...the john...the reading room...the can....powder room....
Diana

--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44
"georg" wrote in message
...
Marie Lewis wrote:

Just as a matter of interest, why do Americans use euphemisms like "
rest room" and "bath room?"

No criticism intended: I am just interested.

To explain to those who do not know, the British term "loo" comes from
the old cry "Garde à l'eau", distorted to "Gardez-loo". This meant
"look out for the water" as people in earlier centuries emptied their
chamber pots into the street below!

We also use "toilet" (the usual term), "bog" (which is slightly
improper) "lavatory" which is incorrect, of course and other terms.

The English also use euphemisms like W.C. or water closet, because
that's one of it's names. When private rooms for this purpose became
fashionable in the 16th century, they were refered to by the English as
"the room of ease" which is where rest room came from. The English also
called it the Chapel, because of the quiet contemplation that occurs
therein. There is some speculation that many of the so-called Priest
Holes installed in historic homes are refitted rooms for a close-stool.
(A close-stool is a wooden box designed to hold a chamberpot within and
be sat on comfortably. The lid is locked so only the owner can use it.)

Lavatory is correct, if you wash your hands.

Most Americans have a bath in the bathroom. We have other plumbing in
there too, but that's the origin of the name. It was a luxury to have a
separate room for a bath.

Personally, I kind of like the origin of Privy Counsel.

-georg
plumbing historian

You said what I said.. but better. I do like the way you get to the meat of
the matter.
Diana ... heading to the little girls room...to powder my nose.. :-)

--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44
"Julia Altshuler" wrote in message
news:Rq5sb.172565$Fm2.150272@attbi_s04...
Marie Lewis wrote:

Just as a matter of interest, why do Americans use euphemisms like "
rest room" and "bath room?"

The words start out as euphemisms, but everyone quickly learns what they
mean, and they start being normal words again. It is like any slang
that sounds cool or odd or inappropriate at first and then becomes so
ordinary as to be heard in the news.

No one wants to be crude (well, some do) so we don't get up from the
dinner table saying "I'm going to go ****." That's accurate but
impolite. Instead, we say "I need the ladies' room" or "just a moment
while I wash my hands" or "excuse me." Everyone can guess what's going
on, but there's no reason to dwell on it. Everyone has preferences for
what euphemisms they like. Personally, I can't stand "powder my nose,"
but that's just me.

In the U.S. we say "bathroom" for the toilet in a private home (even if
the bath is somewhere else) and either "restroom" or "men's room" or
"ladies' room" for the toilet in a public place such as shopping mall or
restaurant. I've also seen "public facilities" on a sign, but that's
newer, and I didn't know what it meant at first.

In Canada, they say "washroom."

You also asked about people who don't use wheelchairs using the stall
designed for them. In the vast number of public restrooms, there will
be a line of women waiting for a free stall. None of them use
wheelchairs. What on earth is the purpose of leaving the one stall
empty? Of course if someone in a wheelchair came in she could use it
the second it was available without waiting in line, but not using a
functioning toilet when one has to go strikes me as silly. It isn't as
though I'm hurting the disabled person by using the empty stall, not
when she's not there. And this has nothing to do with parking spots. I
AM hurting the disabled person by using the parking spot. By taking the
space, it isn't available when the disabled person drives up.

--Lia

Marie Lewis wrote:

In article , Kathy
Applebaum writes
You know, I've never thought about this or seen it happen. Can't really say
what I'd think. I'm sure the problem also comes up when a elderly person (or
a disabled person) has a caregiver of the opposite sex. Hmmm.....

I am, at present, somewhat dependent on a wheelchair, and my husband has
been pushing my chair around France, on holiday, for three weeks.

He didn't hesitate to take me into the ladies' loos and no-one at all
raised an eyebrow.
--
Marie Lewis

France is different: lots of the loos there are 'co-ed' anyway.
--
Kate XXXXXX
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Marie,
I respectfully disagree. Using the restroom takes just a few minutes,
unlike using the handicapped parking spot which takes much longer.

I will use the regular toilet if available, but if there's a line - I use
what's available.
Heck - we have even been known to take over the mens restroom from time to
time!!
It doesn't make sense to leave a facility unused when there's a line.

It is like the 9 item or less line at the grocery. If the cashier in that
line is idle, he will often call over someone in line at one of the other
registers, to get the lines down faster.

Also, when I had twins, in a big double stroller - I used the handicapped
stall. The stroller didn't fit into any of the little stalls.

It's a matter of common sense. You don't use the handicapped stall if
someone in a wheelchair is in line - you let them use it. But if it's the
only empty spot and there's a line (or a special circumstance), you use it.
Alas, common sense is not all that common.

I think we should worry about all the people who abuse the handicapped
spaces - that is not right. I even know people who have handicapped plates
who definately don't need them - not even for a hidden disability.

--
Teresa in Colorado

The Presser Foot
Sewing Machine Sales, Service, Supplies, and More
www.thepresserfoot.com
--
"Marie Lewis" wrote in message
...
In article . net,
Jalynne writes
She will take him in, and try to use the wheelchair accessable stall
(heck, i use that stall with my own child)


Please! do not do this. It is only one step from using disabled
people's parking spots.
--
Marie Lewis

I'm not really sure but then we never went out to many places where this was
an issue. I remember standing outside the doors of the men's room on several
different occasions and having someone to check on him for me and also
cracking the door to call for him, if I hadn't seen anyone enter or leave in
several minutes. This was all before the time of the unfortunate incident
with my friends child though. I watch my youngest son more closely because
of that very incident. Better safe than sorry and if there are any problems
that may arise from the women in any of the restrooms that I choose to take
him into, I'll make short work of them! I'd rather take him in with me if
there isn't a male with me, than risk something happening to him.
Shelly
"Shelly" net dot charter at angel glass wrote in message
...
Please do NOT let your children go into any restroom alone! I have a dear
friend that allowed her son to go into a restroom in a McDonalds
restaurant,
while she waited outside the door in the booth they were sitting in. Her
son
never came out of the restroom, she had to go in after him. There was a
pervert in the restroom when the child entered and the child was beaten
and
his penis cut off. You never know what kind of sick predator may be
lurking.
The child was 6 yrs old at the time and had Tisha not went into the
restroom
when she did, he would have definitely bled to death and almost did. He
was
already unconscious.

I always carried my son in the restroom with me until he started wanting
to
go to the men's room. I'd then wait at the door and warn him I'd be coming
in there in about 2 minutes max, unless he told me he needed more time to
do
his business before he went in. I have also asked gentlemen to check on
him
if I thought he'd been in there a little longer than he should. I've never
had anyone to refuse to check on him. My oldest son will be 22 this month.
My eight yr old still goes with me into the ladies room, if my dh isn't
around. I'd not ever let a girl into a mens room. But that's just me. You
do
what you have to do at the time and what you think is right! Nevermind
what
anyone else thinks. ;o)

Shelly



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.537 / Virus Database: 332 - Release Date: 11/6/03




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.538 / Virus Database: 333 - Release Date: 11/10/03

Just have to jump in on this issue.

I am a handicapped person. I can only use the handicapped stall.

I have been made to wait while employee's smoked and took their break, while
people read, threw up etc.

It is so unfair and I can see no justification on anyone using a space for
the handicapped.
Line or no line.

That is not what they are intended for.

Same for handicapped parking. I have come out of a store with a week's load
of groceries, in the rain, only to find that some person had pulled their
car so close to mine that I cannot open the door fully to get in. I have had
to go back into the store and ask the manager to come out and back my car
out of the space.

When I worked, on rainy days, I would have to circle the block, until the
unauthorized person decided to come out and move their car.

And while I am on my soap box, I agree with the ladies, that boys old enough
to get their own pants up and down, should NOT be in a ladies bathroom. The
same goes for dressing rooms. I had this problem at the local Y.

I see no reason, a father cannot take his little girl into the men's room if
he first checks to see if any other men are in there...same for women taking
their sons in the ladies room.

However, as a patron, I would be asking myself, is this person really this
child's parent??? How are we to know??

Carla

"Teresa in Colorado" wrote in message
ink.net...
Marie,
I respectfully disagree. Using the restroom takes just a few minutes,
unlike using the handicapped parking spot which takes much longer.

I will use the regular toilet if available, but if there's a line - I use
what's available.
Heck - we have even been known to take over the mens restroom from time to
time!!
It doesn't make sense to leave a facility unused when there's a line.

It is like the 9 item or less line at the grocery. If the cashier in that
line is idle, he will often call over someone in line at one of the other
registers, to get the lines down faster.

Also, when I had twins, in a big double stroller - I used the handicapped
stall. The stroller didn't fit into any of the little stalls.

It's a matter of common sense. You don't use the handicapped stall if
someone in a wheelchair is in line - you let them use it. But if it's the
only empty spot and there's a line (or a special circumstance), you use
it.
Alas, common sense is not all that common.

I think we should worry about all the people who abuse the handicapped
spaces - that is not right. I even know people who have handicapped
plates
who definately don't need them - not even for a hidden disability.

--
Teresa in Colorado

The Presser Foot
Sewing Machine Sales, Service, Supplies, and More
www.thepresserfoot.com
--
"Marie Lewis" wrote in message
...
In article . net,
Jalynne writes
She will take him in, and try to use the wheelchair accessable stall
(heck, i use that stall with my own child)


Please! do not do this. It is only one step from using disabled
people's parking spots.
--
Marie Lewis






-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----