I suppose that does make sense, that it's a geographic thing.

I was just a little put off by being told that Canada hadn't graduated to the modern terms yet.

I like your library terminology reference. I had a friend who always used to tell me he was "going to see a man about a horse."

There is one thing that struck me here in California, and this is a general thought, and not meant to insult or infer anything as I know we have some Californians here. Where I grew up (Southern Ontario) someone could use any of the terms we have discussed, restroom/bathroom/washroom, soda/pop, etc., and we would be able to know what was being said. However, for the first little while here in California, I was met with blank or puzzled stares when I didn't use the exact terminology. I found that strange based on the amount of 'immigration' into this state.

I once told a young lady here, that her drink was 'on the house,' and had to repeat it about 3 times before going into detail to explain what I meant. I understand that phrases are certainly geographic by nature, but thought that one was universal ....