I am going to defecate. - Would this be appropriate to Americans?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Tan Elaine

Key Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
English
Home Country
Hong Kong
Current Location
Hong Kong
I think that you will find the Americans more prudish than the English as when asking for a piece of chicken they will not refer to the chicken breast as a breast, but as white meat.

I do not think that asking or telling another what one is doing in a toilet is normal. It is rather a private matter in any Country.
Where I live, it is OK to say what one is doing in the toilet. I believe, in China, it is also fine in their language.
 

5jj

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
Where I live, it is OK to say what one is doing in the toilet. I believe, in China, it is also fine in their language.
Fine, but we have now clearly established that most North American and British native speakers of English do not discuss this. I am sure that native speakers from Ireland, Australia and New Zealand don't either.
 

SoothingDave

VIP Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2009
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I think that you will find the Americans more prudish than the English as when asking for a piece of chicken they will not refer to the chicken breast as a breast, but as white meat.

I do not think that asking or telling another what one is doing in a toilet is normal. It is rather a private matter in any Country.

Calling chicken breasts "breasts" is quite common.
 

MikeNewYork

VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I think that you will find the Americans more prudish than the English as when asking for a piece of chicken they will not refer to the chicken breast as a breast, but as white meat.

I do not think that asking or telling another what one is doing in a toilet is normal. It is rather a private matter in any Country.

In the US, there is no problem calling a chicken/turkey breast a breast. When people say white meat (breast and wing) or dark meat (thigh and leg) they are referring to the type of meat they prefer.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top