DEAR ERIC: I haven’t worked in an office for some time. I’ve been working remotely for years, and my last office job was at a small business with just a couple of guys. I need to brush up on my etiquette. At my last place, you could refer to “hitting the can” or whatever and no one batted an eye, but some might consider that a bit uncouth. What’s the best way of telling someone you have to use (or were in) the restroom?
– Gotta Go
DEAR GOTTA GO: This may shock you, but I think the best phrase is “I’m going to go to the bathroom.” Or, you could simply say, “Excuse me a moment” or “I’ll be right back.” I’m amused by the classic, “I’m going to powder my nose,” but that can be misconstrued in an office. Best to just be simple and direct. We all go.
(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)
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