I promised myself I wasn't going to get drawn into this discussion...
But as a well-educated Brit (or so I like to think... ), I would never ask where the "loo" was in a posh restaurant!!

Either you come straight out with it and ask where the toilet is, or you use a euphemism such as "the ladies" or "the cloakroom" (if you are my Mum). At a friend's house I might ask where the loo is, but not in a restaurant.

The class issue (lavatory vs toilet, napkin vs. serviette) is very outdated and really quite irrelevant these days, unless of course you plan on taking tea with Hyacinth Bucket.

that's 'Boo-KAY'... !

Dana: After reading through this thread, perhaps it's better if you "use the facilities" before you go to the restaurant, drink very little liquid there and then you won't have to ask!

What do you think?

actually...thinking about it, I'd never ask for the "loo" in a posh restaurant, however I'd never ask for the "toilet" or the "bathroom" either. I'd usually say "ladies" in a posh restaurant, or ask for the "loo" anywhere else.

I think Giovanna has the right idea though!! hehee

I haven't met her but I am related to Hyacinth Bucket, I think my grandmother was her cousin. You must all come round to one of my candlelight suppers

Thanks to all for their bit of comic relief. I was quite humored by all of the responses! Giovanna, maybe I will in fact, use the facilities before I venture out for the afternoon and dinner! But all advice was much appreciated! I'll report back on my trip in a couple of weeks!

On our first trip to the UK my family and I were a bit taken aback hearing "toilet" used for the whole room and not just the commode. My sister and I had a funny toilet-term incident at a disco in Ediburgh. It was really loud in the place and a man my sis had been talking to earlier came up to me and asked where my sister was. I said she was in the bathroom. He looked very surprised so I added, youknow, the loo, the WC. Then he said, "Oh I thought you said the BEDROOM and I didn't know they had one here!" After that we were careful to say toilet even though it sounded a bit crude to our American ears.

I always say, sandbox, and "I'm unanimous in that."

I think the biggest cultural difference here is that Americans consider "toilet" to be a slightly crude word, while most of the rest of the world considers it fairly neutral.

I'm generally not expecting a bath until later, but after a busy day sightseeing, I could often use a rest.

"Which way to the euphemism?"

What about "water-loo", considering that Waterloo real hero was General Pierre Cambronne ?

Luke, do you realise this thread is 9 years old... Water loo, never....