dtilque:
For “toilet”, this has advanced more in the US than in non-US English-speaking countries. In other words, in the US, “toilet” is seen as being a somewhat crude word, so other euphemisms are often used in its place. This isn’t the case in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
The word “toilet” is used differently in the US and the UK. In the US it refers to the fixture that you poop into. In the UK it’s used to refer to the whole room.
so exactly why is asking “excuse me, where is the toilet?” so offensive in the US?
In Australia, UK and Asian countries where english is commonly spoken thats most likely what you’d say if you’re at a restaurant and needed to go.
Ask that in the US and the waiters would look at you in horror… what the crap? why does the US have such a big deal about using the actual word for the place?