Do you feel shy when
By vanny
@vandana7 (100123)
India
October 7, 2015 2:20pm CST
Somebody asks direction towards rest room?
Seriously, in India, it becomes embarrassing and awkward. Men ask men, but men wouldn't dare ask women. They'd opt for piddling.
Women ask women but in a shy sort of way, unless a child or a senior person is around. Then they use child or the senior person as an excuse to "brazenly" ask such a question.
I don't know if this happens everywhere and to everybody. These are just my observations.
9 people like this
12 responses
@vandana7 (100123)
• India
8 Oct 15
For some reason there is some shame associated with it out here. When I was in school, we were referring to restroom, as "excuse", so it used to be, madam may I be excused. lol. I just copied how others said that, never gave it much thought, and when it came to college, we controlled. Invariably there was a rush after some classes. When I was working the restroom was attached to the boss' room. So it felt odd for ladies to be going to it. We waited for the boss to leave for lunch. At times, if boss returned, and one of us was in he would open the newspaper and hold it up and that was kind of more amusing to me. I did not know who was feeling more shy. lol
@everloving (439)
• Chennai, India
8 Oct 15
i see no wrong in asking it. Also certain places in India lacks direction & sign boards & at the the only other source we rely to get the information is through the general public. If the same person comes & asks you again then there might seem to be a different motive :)!!!
2 people like this
@everloving (439)
• Chennai, India
8 Oct 15
@vandana7 i understand, sometimes we have to go through these & if its an women its a bit tuff to ask. In these situation its better you plan your travel well & also check the whereabouts of public toilets:).
@hora_fugit (5863)
• India
11 Oct 15
Yeah, I will feel shy if I don't know where the restroom is (when I am asked). In any case, my standard reply is "I don't know."
Asking me directions? You'll get nowhere.
1 person likes this
@hora_fugit (5863)
• India
11 Oct 15
@vandana7 Will simply ask. And if they feel awkward I will pretty much wonder why...
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (217891)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Oct 15
Interesting cultural difference. Here in the US, I think men are more likely to ask men, and women are more likely to ask women, but it's not really embarrassing. For me, no matter who asks, it provides an opportunity to be helpful, which I enjoy. I'll look for some responses from Europeans and East Asians.
2 people like this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
8 Oct 15
It is all in the mindsets... and the urgency
. When I was very new at Hyderabad's office, I in fact had asked about it to a girl. She gave me weird looks but then realized that I was new around and pointed me to the right direction.
But yes, as you say, it is not considered decent and social asking the opposite gender, here in India.
. When I was very new at Hyderabad's office, I in fact had asked about it to a girl. She gave me weird looks but then realized that I was new around and pointed me to the right direction.
But yes, as you say, it is not considered decent and social asking the opposite gender, here in India.1 person likes this
@rebelann (112738)
• El Paso, Texas
11 Mar 20
No, it does not bother me to ask where the ladies room is.
