September 4, 2004 1:27 AM BST
On a matter of language terms - the Americans probably use a more proper version of English - than the English.
(And I'm a white middle class Englishgrrl so you can't call me biased!)
Modern (UK) English has 4 main forms:
Proper High English (aka Queen's English)
Technical High English (Science Books, etc.)
Common English
Common Low English
The first is the absolute official standing; The second has high degrees of latinisation (procreation, copulation, etc.); The third is what we'd use to buy two pints of lager and a packet of crisps. The last involves large amounts of swearing (and is about as close to Anglo-Saxon as is currently possible while being understood).
US English is closer to the second than the third.
(spot graduate)
But anyway................
The point on 'lewd acts' IS relevant to English law (and very relevant to N Ireland, where entry to the 'wrong' toilet can essentially be regarded as illegal under these terms and not a matter of discretion. until very recently,
any public act of 'deviant' behaviour was banned in NI.)
Unfortunately, the English common law is such a mess that it is difficult to give a precise definition of 'how lewd' you can be in this small space - especially since each police force also takes a slightly different view based on local conditions. Doing so in a small village in Cumbria is more likely to end in arrest than in a Soho bar even if both sets of landlords object. In the latter case you are more likely to simply be told to go home as they have other, more important, things to worry them on a Friday night than to start filling in an enormous pile of after arrest paperwork over someone using the wrong toilet.
That's vague but going somewhere.
I've only ever been out in public once when dressed (barring private parties - should you consider that 'public' or 'obvious jokes' like RAG parades or bed pushes). The hardest bit was a cobbled street in 5" heels resulting in a very unladylike position.
That time I used both the male and female toilets (not at the same time) - the former more out of habit. At one point I used the urinal. I wasn't out of place though (Bristol's
Winns.) The others were sit-downs.
Alice
March 10, 2003 7:16 PM GMT
dear donnarose here in brooklyn new york it is also an offence for a guy to use the ladies room.i found that out when i had to make a pit stop in one of my stores,i wear my feminine undies under my drabs so i went to the ladies room and when i came out someone saw me and said what was i doing in there and i had to say something quick so i told him that i had made a mistake and quickly got out of there.so now in my stores i always use the mens room and try to make sure its unocoupied so i can put myself back toghether love phylis anne
March 27, 2003 12:20 AM GMT
Definitely "The Ladies Powder Room. As long as you are dressed like a real lady and actlike a lady.You certainly be introuble going to the mens room. Some places have unisex disabled toilets. That would be neutral and OK. The Powder Room usualy have nice big mirrors to touch up your make up. Some of the powder rooms at palces like the theatre or opera. have long line ups at intermission though. Ive never had any problem there as long as Im dressed for the occasion. Been complimented for my lovely evening dress and asked where did I buy it
Love Joanna
September 8, 2003 3:08 PM BST
If you're not sure of the legalities of using the ladies room try and find the disabled toilet. Sometimes these are unisex and seperate from the male and female toilets, plus they generally have more room to sort yourself out once you've finished.
Unfortunately these toilets are increasingly being locked but if you find one use it, just have a plausable reason if asked. I say I'm Diabetic and need to administer insulin in private.
love and hugs
Alexandra
xxx
October 18, 2002 9:44 PM BST
You traitor! You stood up.
But maybe I take things to extremes.I exercise my choice not to stand (not that I will be able to soon),even when outside.Having said that,most womens trousers/jeans have zips that are shorter,or on the side or back,if they even have a zip.And knickers(panties to you
) are also a litte different in front! Combine that with a slight deficiency in length
and...need I go on? Whoops,think I already did!
Sue.X
October 10, 2002 11:19 PM BST
How does the law stand on the use of 'restrooms'? In the UK,there is no specific restriction on where you 'go'. Obviously,with short hair,3 days growth,and totally drab,you don't go in 'theirs'! But there is no law against doing so.Which surprised me when I found out as I started transition three years ago.Women can also use the mens by the same token.
In general,we in the tend to be quite laid back where I live.Often in a local pub,if one is full,either sex will use the opposite room.No problem! Mind you,the different attitudes took some getting used to at first-it's more like a communal chatroom.Not like mens,where even looking at someone could get you in trouble!
Sorry I can't provide any juicy stories though.It just hasn't happened.
Sue.X
October 17, 2002 9:42 PM BST
Hi Phyliss.The real fun starts when 'Mabel' gets involved.I believe she is a US citizen,and what she can do with words that are quite acceptable here is unreal! Anyway,that's beside the point.What I was going to say was that many terms are creeping in here,includiing the euphemism bathroom.Which I find as amusing as you do.Not that we an complain-the French have le weekend,for goodness sake! And the Germans speak better English,and...
I can take a hint.I'll shut up.
Hugs,Sue.X
October 21, 2002 10:36 PM BST
You would probably then break some sort of law on incitement,as in the UK!
May I suggest you all scratch Utah from your 'interesting restrooms to see in the US' itinary.
"Dad,I need..". "I TOLD you to go before we left!"
Sue.X
October 16, 2002 9:44 PM BST
Phyliss,WE don't call them either restrooms or bathrooms. I am merely pandering to American sensibilites.
In the same way,I will often use 'americanisms' to permit better understanding-we have so many US tv imports,we can speak your language better than many of you speak ours.
And to think we both speak English-NOT.
Sue.XX
October 20, 2002 9:12 AM BST
Hi Sue
Down South ;D ;D ;D
Hugs
Sarah
October 13, 2002 9:29 AM BST
Hi Phyliss
My first experience was on one of my early jaunts when I was about 80 miles from home and realised I would have to go. I'd been driving about and found a female toilet in a car park in the centre of Dover. At the time I wasn't very comfortable getting out of the car, so I sat and watched the toilet getting more and more uncomfortable. I counted them all in and I counted them all out and when I was sure there was no one in there I plucked up my courage, left the car and went in. The relief, in many ways, when I shut the toilet door and sat down was huge.
Then I heard somebody enter and panic set in so I finished and set about re-arranging my under-pinnings, which takes time, and dashed out. Only to find a traffic warden looking at my car! Panic! Panic! 180 degree turn, round the back of the toilet to the ticket machine, only to find a bloke approaching at the same time. Panic! Panic! Panic! He graciously waved me to the machine first so I stood there, fumbling in my purse, put £1 in, way too much, got my ticket and went back to the car.
By now, the traffic warden is about to start writing a ticket. As I approach he says
"Is this your car madame?"
"Yes", squeak I (Dover being a cross-channel port, I had briefly thought about responding in french, fortunately my autonomic reflexes had taken over)
"Do you have a ticket madame"
Limp-wristed wave of ticket.
"Thank you madame" and he walked away.
Relieved, I got in the car. My first thought was "Blimey, I need the toilet". After I had settled down my second thought was that I'd been through all that and nobody had read me. Even the traffic warden, who was still only a couple of cars away, had never looked back. This was my first real human interaction outside of the cocoon of the car and, by now, I was on a real high. So high that I even took a photo of "my first toilet". I still have it, but I do stop short of carrying it around in my handbag. I drove back home on Cloud 9.
On my next jaunt I thought I would visit it again, make it the high point of my trip 8). I drove into the car park expecting to find a blue plaque on the wall "Sarah Dartford pee'd here". What did I find? They'd knocked it down. "Humpf, that's really taking the piss".
Since then I've found other female toilets, all outside, that I use. Although, on one occassion I did use a toilet in a motorway service area.
Got to go.
Sarah
October 19, 2002 2:53 PM BST
East or West Looe? I used to go there a lot! But I can't remember where the restrooms are.
Sue.X
October 19, 2002 10:55 AM BST
Hi Heather
It's a neat word, unless you live in Looe in Cornwall.
Hugs
Sarah
I HAVE PROSTATE PROBLEMS AND HAVE TO GO ALOT. BEFORE I BLEW MY CLOSET UP,WHEN I WENT TO MY BANK ,WHICH HAS 4 OF MY ACCOUNTS,THE MANAGER ALWAYS LET ME USE THE FACILITY IF I NEEDED IT.TODAY ENFEMME ,AFTER ALL THE TELLERS GOT UP OFF THE FLOOR FROM THE SHOCK OF SEEING ME ENFEMME. "I'M SORRY YOU CAN'T USE OUR RESTROOM DRESSED LIKE THAT".TO THESE GOOD CHRISTIAN WOMEN I WAS THE THE DEVIL IN A DRESS :o I ALWAYS DRESS TASTEFULLY & LIKE A LADY,NOT LIKE A TRUCK STOP TART. LET'S HEAR FROM YOU GALS.....LOVE PHYLISS P.S MAYBE THEY WERE AFRAID I MIGHT LEAVE THE SEAT UP. 
