I went to use the toilet whilst I was in Bakewell this afternoon (we were taking the visitors on a quick tour of Derbyshire). I’m told, having spent much of the afternoon discussing linguistic differences between English and Canadian English, that this expression is considered indelicate in North America. It seems that “use the bathroom” is the polite alternative, as “use the toilet”, which falls into the category of too much information. However, there are two things to consider here. One is that the room with the toilet in is called “the toilet” by most people I know. We have a toilet in our toilet. We have a bathroom with a bath and wash basin in it. Believe me when I say you wouldn’t want me to get confused and “use the bathroom” for what I have in mind.
Anyway, after having fish and chips by the bridge I nipped round the corner and offered my card to the reader on the public toilet entry system. It took some effort as I was using two sticks, which needed steadying as I fished my wallet from my pocket.
“Cash Only” flashed up on the screen.
I had to move at that point, to let someone out. I was tempted to rush the doors as they opened for him, but the presence of a cleaner prevented me. The presence of the cleaner also prevented me using a trick one of the Bakewell market traders showed me several years ago.
Juggling card, wallet and two sticks I struck up a conversation with the cleaner.
“Excuse me,” I said, “is there a toilet around here that doesn’t require payment?”
He looked at me suspiciously.
“The card reader isn’t working.” I said.
He checked.
“Have you any cash?”
“I have a £1 coin but I don’t really want to use that for a 20p payment.”
I also wanted to add that if I had 20p I would have used it and not have juggled with card, wallet and two sticks. But I remained polite and charming.
So he let me in free of charge. They are very nice toilets, and well worth 20p. They are probably worth £1 if you need them, but I don’t feel like paying £1 when they only want 20p and can’t keep their system in working order.
Photographer at Bakewell
Yup we Canadians say bathroom but then again everything is usually in one room. The bathtub, sink and toilet. And sometimes a separate shower. They can be pretty big rooms in newer houses.
Strange how different countries develop different styles of speech and architecture. Our trend seems to be towards smaller rooms and replacing baths with showers.
It was fascinating to read such descriptions of your motion
🙂
I have been pitching “Adventures with a High Fibre Diet” but so far no Literary Agent has responded. No wonder I fear writer’s block. I hope I can work it out with the help of my new fountain pen.
For some odd reason, “toilet” is considered rude in the U.S., too. We tend to refer to public toilets as restrooms. And we seldom have to pay to use them.
Yes! I agree with you, Laurie. Maybe it’s because we don’t live in the city? I don’t know. Maybe everyone in Philly has to shell out money every time they need to pee.
Don’t know! But I am mighty glad I don’t have to dig for change when I need to use the restroom.
To be fair, the ones that charge are better maintained than the others. I’m told it is possible to avoid paying if, for instance, you have a walking stick . . . 🙂
🙂
You do take leave to wonder if it can be worth their while to have to maintain a card reader for the sake of 20p a go. I suppose it stops casual hooligans wandering in and messing the facilities up.
A busy day in Bakewell could probably be quite profitable. Yes, it does seem that toilets that charge are always better kept than the free ones.