It's pretty normal for airlines to try to differentiate their onboard product, even if it's in economy. For example, earlier today I wrote about how Air France's new ad campaign focuses on how they offer free food, entertainment, and champagne in economy. I've always enjoyed Thai Airways' marketing. They used to suggest that those in…
Continue reading: Traveling Thai Airways Economy? Refresh With Fragrant Toilet Water!
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
For such a world-weary traveller I'm amazed you've not heard of eau de toilette Ben.
That's the literal translation of "eau de toilette," isn't it? Aren't they just marketing that the economy cabin lavs have cologne or perfume? (Is that the case?)
Hopefully it’s Davidoff coolwater. That drives the women crazy. Maybe spirit Airlines can start offering old spice in their lavatories.
The term "toilet water" has been in use for centuries.
noun
1.
a scented liquid used as a light perfume; cologne.
( http://www.dictionary.com/browse/toilet-water)
Sounds like the Thais may know their English better than some bloggers do. 😉
The refreshing toilet water is the number 1 reason I've switched my flying to Thai.
I got really tired of splashing around in toilet bowls that had plain toilet water.
Frankly, that experience didn't leave me feeling very refreshed.
But now, on Thai, I can splash toilet water all over!
#REFRESHED!
In all seriousness, I must admit that it is QUITE nice that they leave a bottle of "eau de" in the lavatories in economy. It's brilliant, can't cost them that much, and just generally helps to make economy travel a more civilized experience. I've really enjoyed my Thai Airways flights.
heh, the struggles of esl marketing staff are real.
My all-time fav though is a well-meaning hotel in China that locked the entrance after a certain hour and had a button with a sign saying "Press for after-hours *ss." (a very bad way to abbreviate assistance)
I was about to state something like:
toilette toilet, that is some sloppy translation!
...but a quick google search revealed, that yes, "toilet water" is a thing in English, specifically watered down perfume (which it is). We need to complain about French-borrowed words having too many (almost) opposing meanings.
Let’s all laugh at the funny foreigners who don’t speak English properly!
(Note to self: Although maybe I should be a bit more cautious before assuming the American English I know is the only “proper” English)
Dirt-poor old farts like me grew up in a world where “toilet water” was known as that and was considered a luxury product - yes, it’s watered-down cologne/ fragrance.
This article was a bit short and a bit irrelevant. Tiffany I don't think you should hire this guy.
well that's the direct translation of eau de toilette, but it's okay, ben, you're an American. your people including yourself are known for getting angry when someone doesn't speak English. It's okay, ben. you learned something today 😀
Whine, whine.
All you English speakers who are whining about ‘ooo day twalet’ should shape up. Fragrant toilet water means only one thing to a proper English speaker, and that is raw sewage.
No matter how much you wish you had been born French because it would be more ‘chick,’ you can’t make it so by pretending. And if you ever visit the actual French, don’t come back here complaining about the smell or the rotten cheese.
Toilet water is just another e way of saying eau de toilette which is watered down perfume. Prehaps you don't have it in America but it is very common across Europe and much of the world.
Contrary to what some have been commenting, I've never heard an English speaker use "toilet water" in lieu of "eau de toilette".
"Une baguette s-v-p"
This is even worse than offering water from an actual toilet. Perfume and cologne on airlines are often as bad or worse than flatulence.
I'm sure it refers to flush water meant to refresh the toilet bowl which can get pretty 'fragrant' !
@Potato~ I've noticed that Americans go to great pains, and in the process take great liberties with the English language, to describe what is essentially a lavatory. It is not a 'rest room' (unless equipped with a chaise, for example, you can rest upon), and certainly not a 'bathroom' (unless it has a bath to luxuriate in, or a shower at least).
The airline manufacturers call a spade a spade and rightly call it a lavatory. This must seem an affront to the delicate American sensibilities. What do the US crews call it; can't say I've really noticed.
On the Thai language version of the website, it says that the toilet is regularly cleaned. IT IS A TERRIBLE TRANSLATION by Thai Airways.
I was hoping they use Hai Karate. (If you remember it and the self-defense instruction booklet that was included with every bottle, you're gray, just like me).
Why is it that most blogs list "perfumes & colognes" as items Not to wear aboard airplanes? I can understand if someone showers with Aramis, but a discreet cologne is a feel-good item in my mind.
Lucky,
Do not appeal to our baser instincts 😉
Most seasoned travelers here (including you hopefully!) know that eau de toilette will translate to toilet water.
Yes, it is not a good (and it is a funny) translation.
Toilet water was the most common name for this, even in the US, right up until very recently. Eau de toilette didn’t start getting widely used until the 60s and didn’t beat out Toilet Water until the
There’s nothing as politically current as a Privileged White American Male being stupid by making fun of another’s language.
Please keep in mind that some of us are allergic to fragrance, both on contact and respiratory. In fact, it causes migraines that can lead to strokes. The last thing we need is this practice in an enclosed space. I would be sick the whole flight. Please be considerate of your fellow passengers.