Overheard on Facebook

[MrMoogle]

This was an sponsored post that popped up on my page.

More than 95% of U.S. homeowners have positive equity in their home (meaning the house is worth more than their remaining mortgage amount), according to CoreLogic. Of those homeowners, nearly 83% have significant equity (more than 20%) – which creates an ideal situation for putting a down payment on anew home. Are you ready to sell? Now’s your chance! #ReadySetSell

Have positive equity?! Upgrade!!

Normally I think of the face punches as symbolic, but I really want to hit the person who said that.

[Miss Piggy]

Major confession: I've never bought anything from Amazon in my life. Am I even a human being?

I'm assuming this is a rhetorical question, but just in case, the obvious answer is no. Just like those of us who are not on Facebook...we're clearly not human.

[ketchup]

Major confession: I've never bought anything from Amazon in my life. Am I even a human being?

I'm assuming this is a rhetorical question, but just in case, the obvious answer is no. Just like those of us who are not on Facebook...we're clearly not human.

Going out on a limb here, and maybe there are some that would say the opposite, but Amazon is a hell of a lot more useful than Facebook.

[ysette9]

I’m not saying that I don’t waste a ton of time on FB, but on the other hand it got me in touch with family members I hadn’t seen since early childhood and otherwise would have never communicated with. That was pretty cool.

[dragoncar]

Major confession: I've never bought anything from Amazon in my life. Am I even a human being?

I'm assuming this is a rhetorical question, but just in case, the obvious answer is no. Just like those of us who are not on Facebook...we're clearly not human.

Going out on a limb here, and maybe there are some that would say the opposite, but Amazon is a hell of a lot more useful than Facebook.

That’s just because you don’t have Facebook Premium.  Free 2-day shipping on all thoughts and prayers

[Step37]

I feel slightly guilty for sharing this, but I don’t think there’s much danger that my friend frequents this forum.

Friend: I know you can make it but can you just buy simple syrup?
Commenter: it’s sugar and water. I have faith in you.
Friend: I’m sure bars don’t make it every day. They must buy it.
Commenter 2: you can buy it. Ask at Starbucks for a bottle of classic syrup. Pennies to make, though. I make it all the time, won’t let husband buy it.
Friend: okay, I feel sufficiently shamed and will make instead of buy.

So, maybe this is a success story.

[ketchup]

I feel slightly guilty for sharing this, but I don’t think there’s much danger that my friend frequents this forum.

Friend: I know you can make it but can you just buy simple syrup?
Commenter: it’s sugar and water. I have faith in you.
Friend: I’m sure bars don’t make it every day. They must buy it.
Commenter 2: you can buy it. Ask at Starbucks for a bottle of classic syrup. Pennies to make, though. I make it all the time, won’t let husband buy it.
Friend: okay, I feel sufficiently shamed and will make instead of buy.

So, maybe this is a success story.

I worked at a Dairy Queen in high school and we definitely didn't buy it.  I don't know why any restaurant/bar ever would.  Toss a few 5# bags of sugar into a big-ass container, fill with hot water, stir the shit out of it.  Only took a few minutes.  I'm sure it would take even less (probably <1min) if one was making a household-sized amount...

[Kitsune]

I feel slightly guilty for sharing this, but I don’t think there’s much danger that my friend frequents this forum.

Friend: I know you can make it but can you just buy simple syrup?
Commenter: it’s sugar and water. I have faith in you.
Friend: I’m sure bars don’t make it every day. They must buy it.
Commenter 2: you can buy it. Ask at Starbucks for a bottle of classic syrup. Pennies to make, though. I make it all the time, won’t let husband buy it.
Friend: okay, I feel sufficiently shamed and will make instead of buy.

So, maybe this is a success story.

I worked at a Dairy Queen in high school and we definitely didn't buy it.  I don't know why any restaurant/bar ever would.  Toss a few 5# bags of sugar into a big-ass container, fill with hot water, stir the shit out of it.  Only took a few minutes.  I'm sure it would take even less (probably <1min) if one was making a household-sized amount...

Put in mason jar. Put lid on. Shake until the sugar dissolves, about 30 seconds. #complicated

Bonus points for basil-infused simple syrup and then making me a rye sour with it. Ahem.

[JAYSLOL]

A classmate from high school wrote on Facebook today

"Just keep winning free play on our lotto tickets (frowny face), I'd be happy with hundred thou and be out of debt.  Some day I'll win big (smiley face)"

Doubt it.  (Face palm face)

Update time.  Same person just posted a photo of a 65" 4K LED Smart TV with the caption "present for husband".  Dare I ask if she's out of debt now?

Another update, this just keeps getting worse.  Today she wrote

"I feel like the world has fallen on my shoulders, after I get baby to sleep I'm going to call subsidy to see if we qualify, but from the sounds of it we don't so we are basically screwed.  I can't afford $530 a month for daycare, LMAO, I'm already drowning in debt as it is"

I have no words.  No. Fucking. Words.

New update today for this person, I didn't think they could top the last one but boy did they find a way. 
They posted a photo of their truck, which is/was a brand new Dodge Ram with the biggest cab I've ever seen, which apparently they had purchased new 3 years ago, along with the following garbage..

"Call us crazy LOL we have traded in our vehicle a million times, but I'd rather be stuck in a vehicle I actually like!! We are in over our head but I don't care!!  One of these days I'll win the lottery :)"

What does it take for someone like this to see the light?  I just don't understand!

Well, here it goes again.  Train-wreck Facebook friend posted today complaining that she was mad that her "loan place" (payday loan place) wouldn't let her "re-loan" since she paid it off a day early, she would have to wait until tomorrow and come back to "re-loan". 

They got lots of comments from others complaining about payday loan places, not about how big a ripoff they are, but about how they don't like the rules that you can get extra loans and flexible pay back schedules etc. 

One person wrote "they used to let me pay early then re-loan, but it's been a year since I've done one" to which the OP responded "wow, we get loans ALL THE TIME!! LOL!!"

I wish I could un-see this. 

[Step37]

@JAYSLOL, I don’t know how you restrain yourself from commenting or private messaging. What a horrible way to live, and it sounds like they’re just getting affirmation from friends in the same boat, so of course they think everyone lives this way. They feel defeated so just double down on the stupid decisions, addicted to spending. Ugh.

[JAYSLOL]

@JAYSLOL, I don’t know how you restrain yourself from commenting or private messaging. What a horrible way to live, and it sounds like they’re just getting affirmation from friends in the same boat, so of course they think everyone lives this way. They feel defeated so just double down on the stupid decisions, addicted to spending. Ugh.

Yeah, I would totally try talking to her if we had every really been friends in school, but we weren't.  I do wish I could help out, but I don't think me reaching out with advice face-punches would go over well.

[Sibley]

Not on facebook, but close enough.

On another forum I frequent (very much not finance related), there's a poster talking about needing to move. They want to buy a house, but need $5k for a downpayment. They've been trying to save up for 5 years. They think that they can save $50 a month. Other posters were suggesting ways to lock down the budget, not extreme suggestions at all. The OP thinking they couldn't do some of it (buying store brand foods, downgrading the cable channels, etc). Facepunches would really not be appropriate there, so I said nothing.

[JAYSLOL]

A classmate from high school wrote on Facebook today

"Just keep winning free play on our lotto tickets (frowny face), I'd be happy with hundred thou and be out of debt.  Some day I'll win big (smiley face)"

Doubt it.  (Face palm face)

Update time.  Same person just posted a photo of a 65" 4K LED Smart TV with the caption "present for husband".  Dare I ask if she's out of debt now?

Another update, this just keeps getting worse.  Today she wrote

"I feel like the world has fallen on my shoulders, after I get baby to sleep I'm going to call subsidy to see if we qualify, but from the sounds of it we don't so we are basically screwed.  I can't afford $530 a month for daycare, LMAO, I'm already drowning in debt as it is"

I have no words.  No. Fucking. Words.

New update today for this person, I didn't think they could top the last one but boy did they find a way. 
They posted a photo of their truck, which is/was a brand new Dodge Ram with the biggest cab I've ever seen, which apparently they had purchased new 3 years ago, along with the following garbage..

"Call us crazy LOL we have traded in our vehicle a million times, but I'd rather be stuck in a vehicle I actually like!! We are in over our head but I don't care!!  One of these days I'll win the lottery :)"

What does it take for someone like this to see the light?  I just don't understand!

Well, here it goes again.  Train-wreck Facebook friend posted today complaining that she was mad that her "loan place" (payday loan place) wouldn't let her "re-loan" since she paid it off a day early, she would have to wait until tomorrow and come back to "re-loan". 

They got lots of comments from others complaining about payday loan places, not about how big a ripoff they are, but about how they don't like the rules that you can get extra loans and flexible pay back schedules etc. 

One person wrote "they used to let me pay early then re-loan, but it's been a year since I've done one" to which the OP responded "wow, we get loans ALL THE TIME!! LOL!!"

I wish I could un-see this.

Aaaaand she just followed that up with a separate post about having fun shopping today

[LeRainDrop]

Well, here it goes again.  Train-wreck Facebook friend posted today complaining that she was mad that her "loan place" (payday loan place) wouldn't let her "re-loan" since she paid it off a day early, she would have to wait until tomorrow and come back to "re-loan". 

They got lots of comments from others complaining about payday loan places, not about how big a ripoff they are, but about how they don't like the rules that you can get extra loans and flexible pay back schedules etc. 

One person wrote "they used to let me pay early then re-loan, but it's been a year since I've done one" to which the OP responded "wow, we get loans ALL THE TIME!! LOL!!"

I wish I could un-see this.

Aaaaand she just followed that up with a separate post about having fun shopping today

It was really stressful to be denied the re-loan. She needed some retail therapy! /sarcasm/

[frugalnacho]

A classmate from high school wrote on Facebook today

"Just keep winning free play on our lotto tickets (frowny face), I'd be happy with hundred thou and be out of debt.  Some day I'll win big (smiley face)"

Doubt it.  (Face palm face)

Update time.  Same person just posted a photo of a 65" 4K LED Smart TV with the caption "present for husband".  Dare I ask if she's out of debt now?

Another update, this just keeps getting worse.  Today she wrote

"I feel like the world has fallen on my shoulders, after I get baby to sleep I'm going to call subsidy to see if we qualify, but from the sounds of it we don't so we are basically screwed.  I can't afford $530 a month for daycare, LMAO, I'm already drowning in debt as it is"

I have no words.  No. Fucking. Words.

New update today for this person, I didn't think they could top the last one but boy did they find a way. 
They posted a photo of their truck, which is/was a brand new Dodge Ram with the biggest cab I've ever seen, which apparently they had purchased new 3 years ago, along with the following garbage..

"Call us crazy LOL we have traded in our vehicle a million times, but I'd rather be stuck in a vehicle I actually like!! We are in over our head but I don't care!!  One of these days I'll win the lottery :)"

What does it take for someone like this to see the light?  I just don't understand!

Well, here it goes again.  Train-wreck Facebook friend posted today complaining that she was mad that her "loan place" (payday loan place) wouldn't let her "re-loan" since she paid it off a day early, she would have to wait until tomorrow and come back to "re-loan". 

They got lots of comments from others complaining about payday loan places, not about how big a ripoff they are, but about how they don't like the rules that you can get extra loans and flexible pay back schedules etc. 

One person wrote "they used to let me pay early then re-loan, but it's been a year since I've done one" to which the OP responded "wow, we get loans ALL THE TIME!! LOL!!"

I wish I could un-see this.

Aaaaand she just followed that up with a separate post about having fun shopping today

Maybe she bought this

[Imma]

Friend of mine is a lawyer and I happen to know she doesn't have student debt. Tuition is low in our country and she lived at home as a student. My educated guess is that she makes around €50k/year - certainly not less than 45k. She lives in a small studio apartment in a LCOL area (rent probably lower than 500/month) and she has great benefits.

Friend is constantly complaining she has no money, talking about how broke she is and can't wait until payday. She claims she has no money left over for 'adult stuff' like buying a house. I want to punch her everytime I read it.

[limeandpepper]

Not actually on Facebook but someone I know was saying that a 2 bed, 2 bath place was too small for her and her boyfriend. It's not like they have a home office or recording studio or anything like that. I just don't understand how that can be too small? That's literally one bedroom and one bathroom per person which is basically the definition of sufficient. I wanted to ask her but didn't know how to phrase it in a way that didn't seem judgemental haha.

[Raenia]

Not actually on Facebook but someone I know was saying that a 2 bed, 2 bath place was too small for her and her boyfriend. It's not like they have a home office or recording studio or anything like that. I just don't understand how that can be too small? That's literally one bedroom and one bathroom per person which is basically the definition of sufficient. I wanted to ask her but didn't know how to phrase it in a way that didn't seem judgemental haha.

Was she talking about a specific place that was too small, or saying that they need more bedrooms?  I'm half of a couple in a 2 bed, 1 bath place, and it is way too small - my kitchen is smaller than some people's walk-in closets, the living space is horribly laid out for maximum inefficiency, and there's no storage space at all.  It would be nice to have space to actually set up my computer on a desk, instead of using the dining table and having to move everything so we can eat, for instance.

If she was saying they need 3+ bedrooms for a single couple, then yes, that's crazy.

[limeandpepper]

^We were just talking about bedrooms and didn't mention overall size at all so I think she really did mean the number of rooms? And generally I would say in Australia, 2 bed, 2 bath places are not too tiny - it's the studios and 1 bedrooms that are more likely to be very small. I live in a 40sqm place with my partner (and he's got a home office set up in here too) and I can understand that might be too little for many people, but I would have thought with an extra bedroom and bathroom on top of that, it should surely be enough for a typical couple.

[Imma]

We managed perfectly as a couple living in a flat with 2 bedrooms. The largest room was our study and we divided it into two - I worked from home back then. The kitchen was absolutely tiny (built in the space underneath the stairs) but we just put the fridge and a large cupboard for tools in the living room.

We now have 3 bedrooms and it feels like a palace. We have a study each. What more do you want? And only one bathroom - I don't get why a couple would need more than one.

[ysette9]

We lived with one bathroom for 5 years and now having two toilets is SUCH a luxury. I just love being able to pee when I need to and not wait for the 4 year-old to decide that she is finally finished with her business. Having a separate bath for guests is also a wonderful treat that I very much appreciate.

[dragoncar]

We managed perfectly as a couple living in a flat with 2 bedrooms. The largest room was our study and we divided it into two - I worked from home back then. The kitchen was absolutely tiny (built in the space underneath the stairs) but we just put the fridge and a large cupboard for tools in the living room.

We now have 3 bedrooms and it feels like a palace. We have a study each. What more do you want? And only one bathroom - I don't get why a couple would need more than one.

We didn't think we needed more than one bathroom until both of us got food poisoning at the same time. My poor husband had to knock on the neighbor's door at 10pm to ask for their bathroom. It was the first thing we'd spoken to the neighbors.

What, you don’t have a spare bucket?  Too good for the sink?  Pipes is pipes.  They all go to the same place.  I’m gonna call a plumber

[Imma]

We managed perfectly as a couple living in a flat with 2 bedrooms. The largest room was our study and we divided it into two - I worked from home back then. The kitchen was absolutely tiny (built in the space underneath the stairs) but we just put the fridge and a large cupboard for tools in the living room.

We now have 3 bedrooms and it feels like a palace. We have a study each. What more do you want? And only one bathroom - I don't get why a couple would need more than one.

We didn't think we needed more than one bathroom until both of us got food poisoning at the same time. My poor husband had to knock on the neighbor's door at 10pm to ask for their bathroom. It was the first thing we'd spoken to the neighbors.

What, you don’t have a spare bucket?  Too good for the sink?  Pipes is pipes.  They all go to the same place.  I’m gonna call a plumber

As a non-native speaker of English I'm always confused with the use of the word bathroom, which sometimes means actual bathroom and sometimes is just a euphemism for toilet.

Technically, we have one bathroom and two toilets, but once we built the second toilet (in the upstairs bathroom) we stopped using the first. We live in an old home built before the age of indoors toilets, so the first bathroom is built in an annex off the kitchen that is very cold in winter, very hot in summer and doesn't have a window or ventilation.

The only reason why we haven't turned the old toilet into a large cupboard yet is because we've been told it's "strange" to not have a toilet downstairs. We rarely have guests we don't know well enough that we wouldn't want to direct them to the upstairs bathroom.

It might be useful in case of joint food poisoning though. We haven't hit that relationship milestone yet.

[jinga nation]

It might be useful in case of joint food poisoning though. We haven't hit that relationship milestone yet.

When your spouse and your kids get it first, and in the spirit of generosity you help them clean up each time, and then you get it too, and there's no one to help you, that's quite the experience. It's also quite the bonding experience.

[sherr]

As a non-native speaker of English I'm always confused with the use of the word bathroom, which sometimes means actual bathroom and sometimes is just a euphemism for toilet.

In American English "bathroom" is the name of the room that the "toilet" is in. A bathroom does not have to have a shower / bathtub in it, it can just be a toilet and sink. Also in homes bathrooms are almost always designed for single occupancy, so it would be understood that if one bathroom was in use and there were no others then there was no available toilet.

[Davnasty]

As a non-native speaker of English I'm always confused with the use of the word bathroom, which sometimes means actual bathroom and sometimes is just a euphemism for toilet.

In American English "bathroom" is the name of the room that the "toilet" is in. A bathroom does not have to have a shower / bathtub in it, it can just be a toilet and sink. Also in homes bathrooms are almost always designed for single occupancy, so it would be understood that if one bathroom was in use and there were no others then there was no available toilet.

And the ones with only a toilet & sink are known as "half baths". Makes perfect sense, right?

[merula]

As a non-native speaker of English I'm always confused with the use of the word bathroom, which sometimes means actual bathroom and sometimes is just a euphemism for toilet.

In American English "bathroom" is the name of the room that the "toilet" is in. A bathroom does not have to have a shower / bathtub in it, it can just be a toilet and sink. Also in homes bathrooms are almost always designed for single occupancy, so it would be understood that if one bathroom was in use and there were no others then there was no available toilet.

Also, in many languages including British English, the word for the actual porcelain throne is the same as the word for the whole room. This is not the case in American English; toilet ONLY refers to the throne; the room (elsewhere WC) is a bathroom, restroom, powder room, etc.

[Sibley]

As a non-native speaker of English I'm always confused with the use of the word bathroom, which sometimes means actual bathroom and sometimes is just a euphemism for toilet.

In American English "bathroom" is the name of the room that the "toilet" is in. A bathroom does not have to have a shower / bathtub in it, it can just be a toilet and sink. Also in homes bathrooms are almost always designed for single occupancy, so it would be understood that if one bathroom was in use and there were no others then there was no available toilet.

To expand on that, in the US, if you ask for the "bathroom", "toilet", "restroom", "John", "head", "little girls room", "little boys room", "ladies' room", "men's room", "porcelain throne" and probably others, you will get directed to a place that contains a toilet. John and head may not be universally understood. If you're using the little girl's or boy's phrase, there needs to be a young child involved otherwise you're probably coming off as creepy. Some people are weird about what phrase you use, ie bathroom vs restroom, they'll understand but may judge.

Adding - I've heard toilet used to refer to the room as well as the actual toilet in the room. YMMV.

[zolotiyeruki]

To expand on that, in the US, if you ask for the "bathroom", "toilet", "restroom", "John", "head", "little girls room", "little boys room", "ladies' room", "men's room", "porcelain throne" and probably others, you will get directed to a place that contains a toilet. John and head may not be universally understood. If you're using the little girl's or boy's phrase, there needs to be a young child involved otherwise you're probably coming off as creepy. Some people are weird about what phrase you use, ie bathroom vs restroom, they'll understand but may judge.

Adding - I've heard toilet used to refer to the room as well as the actual toilet in the room. YMMV.

Heh, it seems like American English has an unusual wealth of colorful euphemisms/synonyms surrounding bodily waste.  "Worshiping the porcelain goddess," and "see a man about a horse" come to mind as well.  Although "loo" and "bog" don't seem to have emigrated from the old country.

It'd be interesting to explore this further--you never hear about a restroom in a residence, unless maybe it's a shared (dormitory-style) one.  And a public restroom is never a powder room.  And a powder room never contains anything more than a toilet and a sink.

[I'm a red panda]

As a non-native speaker of English I'm always confused with the use of the word bathroom, which sometimes means actual bathroom and sometimes is just a euphemism for toilet.

In American English "bathroom" is the name of the room that the "toilet" is in. A bathroom does not have to have a shower / bathtub in it, it can just be a toilet and sink. Also in homes bathrooms are almost always designed for single occupancy, so it would be understood that if one bathroom was in use and there were no others then there was no available toilet.

And the ones with only a toilet & sink are known as "half baths". Makes perfect sense, right?

I have a 3/4 bath in my house: toilet, sink, shower  (no bath).

It'd be interesting to explore this further--you never hear about a restroom in a residence, unless maybe it's a shared (dormitory-style) one.  And a public restroom is never a powder room.  And a powder room never contains anything more than a toilet and a sink.

We always often refer to our bathroom as a restroom even within our house.  The words are identical as far as I'm concerned.

I agree a "powder room" is the same as a real estate listing would call a "half-bath"; but a powder room might also just be called a bathroom or restroom.

Some public restrooms have couches or sitting areas. But they don't have to to be a restroom. Just toilets.

[MrMoogle]

Not on facebook, but close enough.

On another forum I frequent (very much not finance related), there's a poster talking about needing to move. They want to buy a house, but need $5k for a downpayment. They've been trying to save up for 5 years. They think that they can save $50 a month. Other posters were suggesting ways to lock down the budget, not extreme suggestions at all. The OP thinking they couldn't do some of it (buying store brand foods, downgrading the cable channels, etc). Facepunches would really not be appropriate there, so I said nothing.

And at $50 a month it only takes 8.5 years to save up $5k.

[ixtap]

This is family, but I found out on FB: the least stable family subunit just bought an RV the same size as my husband and I think we need to live in, but this is just for the vacations whose gas bills stress their budget when they camp in a tent...Last I knew, they had stopped making payments to my parents for money owed.

[Imma]

To expand on that, in the US, if you ask for the "bathroom", "toilet", "restroom", "John", "head", "little girls room", "little boys room", "ladies' room", "men's room", "porcelain throne" and probably others, you will get directed to a place that contains a toilet. John and head may not be universally understood. If you're using the little girl's or boy's phrase, there needs to be a young child involved otherwise you're probably coming off as creepy. Some people are weird about what phrase you use, ie bathroom vs restroom, they'll understand but may judge.

Adding - I've heard toilet used to refer to the room as well as the actual toilet in the room. YMMV.

Heh, it seems like American English has an unusual wealth of colorful euphemisms/synonyms surrounding bodily waste.  "Worshiping the porcelain goddess," and "see a man about a horse" come to mind as well.  Although "loo" and "bog" don't seem to have emigrated from the old country.

It'd be interesting to explore this further--you never hear about a restroom in a residence, unless maybe it's a shared (dormitory-style) one.  And a public restroom is never a powder room.  And a powder room never contains anything more than a toilet and a sink.

I once heard this story about someone who had a foreign visitor at work - I'm not sure if she was American or British, but she was a posh looking lady. At some point, the visitor asked where she could wash her hands, only to be sent to the office kitchen instead of the bathroom ...

In my country we are very forthcoming, so euphemisms confuse us.

[dragoncar]

To expand on that, in the US, if you ask for the "bathroom", "toilet", "restroom", "John", "head", "little girls room", "little boys room", "ladies' room", "men's room", "porcelain throne" and probably others, you will get directed to a place that contains a toilet. John and head may not be universally understood. If you're using the little girl's or boy's phrase, there needs to be a young child involved otherwise you're probably coming off as creepy. Some people are weird about what phrase you use, ie bathroom vs restroom, they'll understand but may judge.

Adding - I've heard toilet used to refer to the room as well as the actual toilet in the room. YMMV.

Heh, it seems like American English has an unusual wealth of colorful euphemisms/synonyms surrounding bodily waste.  "Worshiping the porcelain goddess," and "see a man about a horse" come to mind as well.  Although "loo" and "bog" don't seem to have emigrated from the old country.

It'd be interesting to explore this further--you never hear about a restroom in a residence, unless maybe it's a shared (dormitory-style) one.  And a public restroom is never a powder room.  And a powder room never contains anything more than a toilet and a sink.

I once heard this story about someone who had a foreign visitor at work - I'm not sure if she was American or British, but she was a posh looking lady. At some point, the visitor asked where she could wash her hands, only to be sent to the office kitchen instead of the bathroom ...

In my country we are very forthcoming, so euphemisms confuse us.

Where can I drop a deuce?  Sent to the poker room.

[ketchup]

To expand on that, in the US, if you ask for the "bathroom", "toilet", "restroom", "John", "head", "little girls room", "little boys room", "ladies' room", "men's room", "porcelain throne" and probably others, you will get directed to a place that contains a toilet. John and head may not be universally understood. If you're using the little girl's or boy's phrase, there needs to be a young child involved otherwise you're probably coming off as creepy. Some people are weird about what phrase you use, ie bathroom vs restroom, they'll understand but may judge.

Adding - I've heard toilet used to refer to the room as well as the actual toilet in the room. YMMV.

Heh, it seems like American English has an unusual wealth of colorful euphemisms/synonyms surrounding bodily waste.  "Worshiping the porcelain goddess," and "see a man about a horse" come to mind as well.  Although "loo" and "bog" don't seem to have emigrated from the old country.

It'd be interesting to explore this further--you never hear about a restroom in a residence, unless maybe it's a shared (dormitory-style) one.  And a public restroom is never a powder room.  And a powder room never contains anything more than a toilet and a sink.

I once heard this story about someone who had a foreign visitor at work - I'm not sure if she was American or British, but she was a posh looking lady. At some point, the visitor asked where she could wash her hands, only to be sent to the office kitchen instead of the bathroom ...

In my country we are very forthcoming, so euphemisms confuse us.

Where can I drop a deuce?  Sent to the poker room.

In case anyone else would like to giggle inappropriately at work like a 12 year old boy: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:English_toilet_slang#Defecation

[ysette9]

I remember a boss of mine early in my career mentioned he was going to go powder his nose. Maybe in part because he is gay, but I found that endearing.

I have thought before that the long list of ways you can describe going to the bathroom to be amusing, and likely challenging for someone learning English. In French you just need to learn « aller aux toilettes » and that will serve you in almost all situations. « Aller au petit coin » (“go to the little corner”) is definitely more slang-y and not something a tourist is likely to encounter.

On the other hand, to where to go in English you may need to know “bathroom, toilet, restroom, loo, WC, washroom, little girls’/boys’ room, ladies’ room” depending on where you are.

[woopwoop]

I remember a boss of mine early in my career mentioned he was going to go powder his nose. Maybe in part because he is gay, but I found that endearing.

See now, this always makes me think they're going to go take a hit of coke off of the toilet lid. 

[barbaz]

n French you just need to learn « aller aux toilettes » and that will serve you in almost all situations. « Aller au petit coin » (“go to the little corner”) is definitely more slang-y and not something a tourist is likely to encounter.

On the other hand, to where to go in English you may need to know “bathroom, toilet, restroom, loo, WC, washroom, little girls’/boys’ room, ladies’ room” depending on where you are.

Funny to see similarities between languages even in this. In German you “go for little boys/girls” (really creepy if you think about it) or go “around the corner” (but “bringing someone around the corner” means to murder them)

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

I’ll be extremely careful with how I ask to be directed to the bathroom if I’m ever in Germany.

[Imma]

n French you just need to learn « aller aux toilettes » and that will serve you in almost all situations. « Aller au petit coin » (“go to the little corner”) is definitely more slang-y and not something a tourist is likely to encounter.

On the other hand, to where to go in English you may need to know “bathroom, toilet, restroom, loo, WC, washroom, little girls’/boys’ room, ladies’ room” depending on where you are.

Funny to see similarities between languages even in this. In German you “go for little boys/girls” (really creepy if you think about it) or go “around the corner” (but “bringing someone around the corner” means to murder them)

In Dutch, "around the conrer" means dead. I have been told in Turkish that means someone was very lucky....

We simply ask for the toilet/WC or in more informal company just announce that we're going to pee. In Belgium, you'll want to be extra clear about what you're going to do, because in private residences bathrooms often don't have a lock. Door closed means don't enter.

[I'm a red panda]

My cousins who were expats just taught their kids to ask for the toilet.

They are the only American's I've ever heard do that. (Like at a restaurant ask the hostess "Excuse me, where is the toilet." Uh? In the bathroom" :))

Of course there are adults who still ask for the potty.

[ysette9]

So interesting. I just love languages. I never understand the narrow-minded Americans who go off about only speaking English. They miss out on so much.

[MgoSam]

So interesting. I just love languages. I never understand the narrow-minded Americans who go off about only speaking English. They miss out on so much.

Yup, gotta love people that haven't left their own state much less the country but know for a fact that "America is the best country in the world! USA USA USA!"

[elliha]

We lived in a one bedroom one bathroom apartment my husband and I until our daughter was 2 years old. It really wasn't that crowded but it was nice to get a three bedroom after that. Two bedrooms are the most popular size and the hardest to get in our town so we avoided that size and went for the bigger one since we were hoping to have two kids which we have now and we are pretty satisfied with the size we have now. We now have two bathrooms and I never want to live with more than one person having just one bathroom.

(There are several things that I find odd with American houses. First, why do some have so many bathrooms? In Sweden most people have two bathrooms even if they live in a bigger house. I don't think I have ever even visited a house with more than three and that was quite a big and fancy house with more than three bedrooms so they did not have one bathroom per bedroom. Also, in Sweden you never say how many bathrooms you have when you describe the house, it is a little "too much information". I find it strange to write how many bathrooms I have here. I also find it weird that you only count the bedrooms when you describe your house. We live in what Swedes call a four room apartment meaning we have three bedrooms and a living room. We don't count the kitchen, hallway or bathroom/s. We also call any place you have a toilet in a toilet but a room that can be used to wash yourself in is also a bathroom. Sometimes people have a shower or shower/sauna with no toilet often in the basement and that might be called a shower room or just a shower. If you have that set up you usually have a half bath somewhere in the house and a regular bathroom with "everything" on either the first or second floor.)

[I'm a red panda]

So interesting. I just love languages. I never understand the narrow-minded Americans who go off about only speaking English. They miss out on so much.

I've tried to learn other languages, but am just so bad at it. I took a lot of Latin, so I can read basic text in many romance languages, but that's it.

As our daughter has learned words (and to sign), my husband has started speaking to me in either Spanish or French if he doesn't want her to hear. Which generally leaves me saying que/quelle until he says it really really slowly.  I wish he'd just spell it!  He has an incredible knack for languages and is fairly fluent in Spanish, French, and ASL. I wish I could.

But I don't buy into american exceptionalism, so there's that.

[ysette9]

None of us have a knack for languages the way little kids do! It is amazing to see my kiddo because she is just this sponge, soaking it all up effortlessly. I’m jealous because I’d like to think I’m okay at languages, but the tones in Chinese constantly throw me through a loop. Was that orange or being nice you were talking about? A horse or a mother or are you just asking a question? :)

[I'm a red panda]

None of us have a knack for languages the way little kids do! It is amazing to see my kiddo because she is just this sponge, soaking it all up effortlessly. I’m jealous because I’d like to think I’m okay at languages, but the tones in Chinese constantly throw me through a loop. Was that orange or being nice you were talking about? A horse or a mother or are you just asking a question? :)

Our grad students once put on a clinic on how to say their names. It had lots of sloping hand movements to tell us which way to move our voices. Half the time I couldn't tell the difference between what they said when they moved their hand down or in a U shape. My ears just can't do it!

[Imma]

(There are several things that I find odd with American houses. First, why do some have so many bathrooms? In Sweden most people have two bathrooms even if they live in a bigger house. I don't think I have ever even visited a house with more than three and that was quite a big and fancy house with more than three bedrooms so they did not have one bathroom per bedroom. Also, in Sweden you never say how many bathrooms you have when you describe the house, it is a little "too much information". I find it strange to write how many bathrooms I have here. I also find it weird that you only count the bedrooms when you describe your house. We live in what Swedes call a four room apartment meaning we have three bedrooms and a living room. We don't count the kitchen, hallway or bathroom/s. We also call any place you have a toilet in a toilet but a room that can be used to wash yourself in is also a bathroom. Sometimes people have a shower or shower/sauna with no toilet often in the basement and that might be called a shower room or just a shower. If you have that set up you usually have a half bath somewhere in the house and a regular bathroom with "everything" on either the first or second floor.)

Maybe we count all the rooms, because our European homes are so much smaller? In my country, we only count the rooms for an apartment, not for a house. I used to live in a three room apartment, now I live in a three bedroom house.

I learned a lot of languages in school: English, French, German, and a bit of Latin. I had friends who also took ancient Greek and Spanish on top of that, and of course we had Dutch as well (native language). I'm not really good at languages, I can only hold a real conversation in English and Dutch, but when I studied abroad for a while in Finland, I was amazed at how quickly I picked up Swedish. Swedish is the second official language of Finland and unlike Finnish the words don't look like your cat walked on your keyboard. I'm sure I picked it up quickly because I speak three other Germanic languages. My time in Finland really convinced me that even knowing a little bit of a language is a lot better than nothing.

[ysette9]

The image of a cat walking across the keyboard gave me a good laugh.

I can’t find it now, but this reminds me of this wonderful joke I saw a while back. Basically it was sheet music that was very seriously written to transcribe a cat walking across the keys of a piano. For those who read music, it was a blast. Now I’m going to have to see if I can dig it up.

[elliha]

(There are several things that I find odd with American houses. First, why do some have so many bathrooms? In Sweden most people have two bathrooms even if they live in a bigger house. I don't think I have ever even visited a house with more than three and that was quite a big and fancy house with more than three bedrooms so they did not have one bathroom per bedroom. Also, in Sweden you never say how many bathrooms you have when you describe the house, it is a little "too much information". I find it strange to write how many bathrooms I have here. I also find it weird that you only count the bedrooms when you describe your house. We live in what Swedes call a four room apartment meaning we have three bedrooms and a living room. We don't count the kitchen, hallway or bathroom/s. We also call any place you have a toilet in a toilet but a room that can be used to wash yourself in is also a bathroom. Sometimes people have a shower or shower/sauna with no toilet often in the basement and that might be called a shower room or just a shower. If you have that set up you usually have a half bath somewhere in the house and a regular bathroom with "everything" on either the first or second floor.)

Maybe we count all the rooms, because our European homes are so much smaller? In my country, we only count the rooms for an apartment, not for a house. I used to live in a three room apartment, now I live in a three bedroom house.

I learned a lot of languages in school: English, French, German, and a bit of Latin. I had friends who also took ancient Greek and Spanish on top of that, and of course we had Dutch as well (native language). I'm not really good at languages, I can only hold a real conversation in English and Dutch, but when I studied abroad for a while in Finland, I was amazed at how quickly I picked up Swedish. Swedish is the second official language of Finland and unlike Finnish the words don't look like your cat walked on your keyboard. I'm sure I picked it up quickly because I speak three other Germanic languages. My time in Finland really convinced me that even knowing a little bit of a language is a lot better than nothing.

I am not too surprised you understand Swedish somewhat when speaking German, English and Dutch. I speak Swedish, English and German (or my German is pretty bad but I understand a lot of words and basic grammar so I can speak it if I really have to) and Dutch is not completely out of my range in writing and I understand a bit of it when spoken. I have never tried to learn it though. The languages are related so there is a lot of overlap.

Finnish is really hard, I grew up in the northern parts of Swedish which is has a lot of native Finnish speakers (Swedes who speak Finnish as their first language and Finns who moved there from Finland) so I know how to swear in Finnish and I understand some words here and there but the part about a cat walking on a keyboard is quite accurate. "Tornedalsfinska" the local Finnish dialect borrows heavily from Swedish so that is not that hard to understand even if you don't know Finnish, at least the general context of what is said. They generally just use the Swedish word and add i at the end of the word. I am exaggerating a bit here but not that much. Like towel is "handduk" in Swedish and "hantuuki" in their version of Finnish which is basically how you would pronounce the Swedish word with a Finnish accent plus an extra i.