tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post4168406339348058830..comments2023-10-26T15:34:56.807+01:00Comments on Pond Parleys: The Humble BathroomPond Parleyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03127142379706540812noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-9191880657542102862009-06-07T12:43:43.633+01:002009-06-07T12:43:43.633+01:00Definitely not UK specific -- the washroom on the ...Definitely not UK specific -- the washroom on the floor of my company's U.S. office (in NYC's Empire State Building) has two separate taps as well. Surprised this girl from Hong Kong (where we also have the two-button toilets)!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-47937902041451841752009-05-21T19:43:30.360+01:002009-05-21T19:43:30.360+01:00Uh, if I ever move back to the UK I'm buying mixer...Uh, if I ever move back to the UK I'm buying mixer taps here before I go. I just don't get the two separate taps in a hand basin thing! What is weird is that it is UK specific, the Danes and most of the rest of europe have embraced the mixer tap too.geekymummyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10529149669501249892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-19560169264002849832009-04-23T18:27:00.000+01:002009-04-23T18:27:00.000+01:00My two-tap British sink annoys me to no end. The k...My two-tap British sink annoys me to no end. The kitchen sink has one tap - why not extend this wonderful invention to the loo?Squirmy Popplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04457645483645107653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-28742630699435364212009-04-23T15:42:00.000+01:002009-04-23T15:42:00.000+01:00It's funny to see our bathrooms through the eyes o...It's funny to see our bathrooms through the eyes of an American.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-16392107860961942422009-04-22T20:50:00.000+01:002009-04-22T20:50:00.000+01:00Our ancient toilet died a while back and our new o...Our ancient toilet died a while back and our new one is a two-button model. Very cool!MikeHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01530099708429116393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-85552583933819253642009-04-21T21:01:00.000+01:002009-04-21T21:01:00.000+01:00I have never heard of the 2-button toilet before. ...I have never heard of the 2-button toilet before. . . never. . . ever!!!Liz Wilkey (a.k.a. A Mom on Spin)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14804873736204504475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-74542475968602562172009-04-21T20:47:00.000+01:002009-04-21T20:47:00.000+01:00How funny that such a simple thing can cause so mu...How funny that such a simple thing can cause so much confusion across the pond! LOL.Petra a.k.a The Wise (*Young*) Mommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01717981499965181200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-43404327008644803322009-04-21T19:45:00.000+01:002009-04-21T19:45:00.000+01:00Excellent topic...I've learned a lot...how 'bout c...Excellent topic...I've learned a lot...how 'bout comparing U.K. vs. U.S. kitchens?Reinvent Dadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12357054681296228882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-76526995558409439562009-04-21T14:41:00.000+01:002009-04-21T14:41:00.000+01:00Ah but see, you forgot about the group troughs at ...Ah but see, you forgot about the group troughs at public places! In America at sports venues and some bars, there is just a long sink where everyone pisses. Its VERY un private, just whip it out and stare ahead. at the University of Michigan football stadium its a series of walls with water running down, its CRAZY! more details here <br />http://www.bobbygspot.org/2008/09/urinal-ettiquette-definitive-guide.htmlBobby Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04711676592495791818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-3544469820136100572009-04-21T14:02:00.000+01:002009-04-21T14:02:00.000+01:00Who knew we'd have this much to discuss??Who knew we'd have this much to discuss??Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-33179472976157276152009-04-21T13:42:00.000+01:002009-04-21T13:42:00.000+01:00The biggest difference I have noticed is that US l...The biggest difference I have noticed is that US loos have wall electrical outlets. I like being able to blow dry hair etc in there. Agree about US water pressure and showers (no more half-glass door that doesn't keep water in) and taps--I don't understand the plugs but I like mixer taps. We have a dual flush toilet (becoming more popular now to save water) but it flushes with more 'gusto' than a UK toilet. Interesting to me is the US move to pedestal sinks--now that I am used to a vanity (and all the storage) I have no desire to go back to one of those. I also like the size of US bathrooms (the half-baths have room to move whereas our UK cloakroom was a little cupboard) and that many now include a step-in shower. That's very handy to have if recovering from surgery, broken arm, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-8375612454029361152009-04-21T13:20:00.000+01:002009-04-21T13:20:00.000+01:00A different button to flush number 1 and number 2?...A different button to flush number 1 and number 2?? How clever! ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-57889462532509535082009-04-21T12:42:00.000+01:002009-04-21T12:42:00.000+01:00Yeah yeah yeah we do have issues with crappy showe...Yeah yeah yeah we do have issues with crappy showers.<br /><br />The lavatory thing cracks me up. It probably originated from that time when I...mo.stoneskinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10737422581378328590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-11743455973985837422009-04-21T02:07:00.000+01:002009-04-21T02:07:00.000+01:00My only experience with a UK washroom was in our h...My only experience with a UK washroom was in our hotel room. It seemed no different from standard bathrooms in the US with the exception that the room also had a bidet. The shower was perfect. Of course we stayed at a Marriott Hotel. <br /><br />Iota's comment about the term half bath being confusing is true, though I think most people here would assume a half bath is only a loo and washbasin. Recently I've seen the term 3/4 bath in real estate adverts. This means the bath has a toilet, sink and stall shower but no tub. <br /><br />As to the US use of the term lavatory. That can be confusing too. Here a lavatory can mean the bathroom or a basin to wash your hands in. I personally never use the word lavatory to refer to the washbasin but when you go to the DIY to purchase a sink the carton containing it may say lavatory on it. I think the term lavatory comes from the word lavabo which is the basin that goes with a ewer that sat on a washstand before indoor plumbing. <br /><br />Very interesting topic and blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-38953154793794952682009-04-21T02:05:00.000+01:002009-04-21T02:05:00.000+01:00When my in-laws visited several years ago we were ...When my in-laws visited several years ago we were shopping at Lowes home-improvement store and my mum-in-law asked an assistant where the toilets where. They took her to the actual toilets on display. Very funny.Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05443153003836499323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-56015474462951141342009-04-20T19:38:00.000+01:002009-04-20T19:38:00.000+01:00Our flat has a power shower and a tub. The word "...Our flat has a power shower and a tub. The word "Power" is somewhat loosely used, but it provides an adequate shower. My wife is a Brit and therefore takes baths; she seems to have the better end of the deal. (Before you say, "But then why don't you..." just let me say I'm an American, and I do showers. That's just the way it is.)MikeHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01530099708429116393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-17059794169237080172009-04-20T19:33:00.000+01:002009-04-20T19:33:00.000+01:00I grew up overseas, and the first time I heard my ...I grew up overseas, and the first time I heard my best friend (from Australia) call out and ask her father if he was in the toilet, I dissolved into uncontrollable laughter while she sat wonder what she had said that was so funny. To me, she was asking if he was inside the actual toilet itself, rather than the room. <br /><br />I have been totally unimpressed with the bathrooms (sorry, loo) of England. That's one area where I remain fully loyal to the US. :)Kaciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06374573594800663980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-13224955779715209902009-04-20T18:24:00.000+01:002009-04-20T18:24:00.000+01:00I just want to say thanks to both Toni and Mike fo...I just want to say thanks to both Toni and Mike for letting me guest post over here. I had a great time writing this post and would be honored to do it again.Kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16973125452842612070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-11131433002367064282009-04-20T16:30:00.000+01:002009-04-20T16:30:00.000+01:00I think part of the difference in shower water pre...I think part of the difference in shower water pressure and temperature can be explained by the respective boilers.<br /><br />In my UK house, the gas boiler looks like someone has screwed a cigarette packet on the wall. This small box heats the water and supplies the central heating.<br /><br />In my US house, the boiler has its own room. As I approach the door, I hear the rhythmic clanking and start to feel the heat on your face. Opening the door reveals a scene that I thought only existed in the tramp steamers of the early 20th Century. Huge pipes, large red spigots, the occasional jet of steam overhead. I half expect a sweating, coal-stained navvy to be sneaking a quick smoke before returning to feed the beast more fuel.Mr Potartohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08856169839194743543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-19587478187043388192009-04-20T13:53:00.000+01:002009-04-20T13:53:00.000+01:00Elizabeth - very common in my experience. That's p...Elizabeth - very common in my experience. That's probably due to the lack of showers though. The American strategy of building a wall at each end of the tub is ingenious. Then you can use those tension shower rods...<br />Hand held showers are on the wane thank god. I never met one that worked well anyway. In my house I had a shower head put on the side of the tub (for washing little kids' hair) and it's awesome. I can have a bath, wash my hair and rinse it off properly.<br />Am I sounding a little obsessive?Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-20707226593594288062009-04-20T13:50:00.000+01:002009-04-20T13:50:00.000+01:00I quite often have a two inch bath in the morning....I quite often have a two inch bath in the morning. Running the water whilst brushing my teeth, finding something to wear off the floor, and yelling at the kids - a real multi-tasking experience!!<br />Carpets - I was roundly taken to task by some blogger about a year ago who simply refused to believe that people still had carpetting in their bathrooms. Mind you he lived in London and his house was stripped floors etc. I must admit that less and less people seem to be doing that, or have gone over to carpet tiles so that the wee'd on ones can be easily replaced. Ugh!Expat mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798190669591053390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-90167431133863434732009-04-20T13:07:00.000+01:002009-04-20T13:07:00.000+01:00Ladies, how can you forget the UK carpet in the ba...Ladies, how can you forget the UK carpet in the bathroom debate?!A Modern Motherhttp://www.amodernmother.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-5270456873563832602009-04-20T05:48:00.000+01:002009-04-20T05:48:00.000+01:00So I was looking at bathroom fixture sites in the ...So I was looking at bathroom fixture sites in the UK to get a better idea of what people had going on over there and I'm left with a couple questions.<br /><br />How common is it to have a tub/bath that's not fit into a dedicated alcove?<br />I've seen such a thing before in the US, but only in bathrooms so fancy they have a separate tub and shower stall (you know the kind shown on the Home & Garden channel which <A HREF="http://media.point2.com/p2h/listing/8164/ed87/b54c/02fb8a6cee8df60759f9/gallery.jpg" REL="nofollow">can't possibly be practical</A> unless <A HREF="http://www.detailsremodeling.com/images/master_shower.jpg" REL="nofollow">you use it as a dedicated orgy room</A>).<br /><br />Looking at pictures it seems like hand showers are pretty popular. Yes, no?<br />Even here in the land of the awesome water pressure hand showers have poor pressure compared to conventional shower heads. Probably why they're usually found in conjunction with conventional heads in the US.<br /><br /><A HREF="http://www.ideal-standard.co.uk/img/upload/popup/item/connect_shower_guard_corner.jpg" REL="nofollow">This</A> just seems like a bad idea. Same goes for <A HREF="http://www.ideal-standard.co.uk/img/upload/popup/item/connect_900.jpg" REL="nofollow">this</A>.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14708599658301706496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-17823068061213364702009-04-19T21:43:00.000+01:002009-04-19T21:43:00.000+01:00I really enjoyed the concept of a half-bathroom wh...I really enjoyed the concept of a half-bathroom when we first moved here. It was a bit confusing, though, as our realtor said that it used to mean a shower (ie a full bathroom was toilet, bath and shower, and a half bathroom was toilet and shower only), but that over time it had come to mean just a toilet. BUT some people still used the old definition, so as a house-buyer, you weren't quite sure what it meant. You had to check it out for yourself.iotahttp://www.blogiota.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1374269644093476975.post-42955820340282905372009-04-19T20:49:00.000+01:002009-04-19T20:49:00.000+01:00Maggie May: have experienced something similar to ...Maggie May: have experienced something similar to what you describe. It's like a rolling cycle of scalding/freezing water coming out of the shower head and it doesn't seem adjustable. <br /><br />In the middle of the cycle there are a few precious seconds of warm water in which to actually soap up, then it's step to the back of the tub while the extremes of the cycle process, step back under the water to rinse off in mid-cycle. Repeat.<br /><br />Not every shower is like this, but enough have been to make me wonder. Britons can't be showering like this every day. When experiencing this phenom, I've tried every way I can think of to moderate or mix the two water temps (scalding/freezing) but to no avail. Obviously I'm doing something wrong, or not doing something right.<br /><br />Showers seem such an after-thought in the UK, that I also wonder if baths are preferred by the populace?<br /><br />It's hard to imagine taking a full bath every morning before going out to work. <br /><br />My morning shower is well under ten minutes and more like five, a bath (filling the tub, etc.) would take far longer than that. A bath is such a commitment!Jill Ramseynoreply@blogger.com