A Canadian man living in the UK revealed how he narrowly avoided arrest whilst visiting London – all due to a difference in how Brits and Canadians number floors in buildings.
Nick Toredes, who moved to London with his partner, Anthony, in 2022, shared his story in a viral video posted to Instagram, sparking debate over cultural and linguistic differences between the two nations.
In the video, posted to his account @nicktoteda on September 10, the content creator sat on the floor of his bedroom as he recounted his brush with the law.
Visibly perplexed, Toteda said: ‘British people… I just nearly went to jail for breaking and entering because of your lingo.’
He explained he had booked an Airbnb in a block of London flats, and after picking up the keys, messaged the host to ask which apartment was his.
The host helpfully assisted Toteda and told him would be able to find the flat on ‘the first floor to the right.’
Having interpreted ‘first floor’ in the Canadian and American sense – the ground level – Torteda went ahead and tried unlocking the door on that floor.
However he soon discovered the key didn’t fit the lock.
Nick Toredes, who moved to London in 2022, revealed how he narrowly avoided arrest whilst visiting London – all due to a difference in how Brits and Canadians number floors in buildings (stock image)
When he contacted the host, they advised him to try all three locks on the door and ‘really pull’ the handle due to the age of the building.
As Toteda followed the instructions, the door was suddenly opened by a bewildered resident on the other side.
The content creator said: ‘She’s like, “Pardon me? Can I help you? Why are you doing that to my door?”‘
Caught off guard by the unexpected encounter, he explained he was trying to enter his Airbnb, to which the women pointed out that he was at her home and not a rental.
As he showed her the messages and instructions from the host, it became clear that he had misinterpreted the first floor for being the ground floor.
In the UK, the first floor refers to the level above the ground floor.
After successfully locating and entering the correct flat, he had asked his host why they hadn’t just said ‘second floor,’ to which they clarified the ‘first floor’ means the first above ground level.
The blogger said: ‘Apparently British people say ground floor and then one. Every other country I’ve been to, it’s been one, two, three, like counting levels to a house. I’m lucky she’s not pressing charges because I could not survive in jail to be honest.’
While hundreds of viewers found Toteda’s situation amusing, others were less sympathetic
While hundreds of viewers found Toteda’s situation amusing, others were less sympathetic.
One person wrote, ‘It isn’t just a British thing. It’s literally everywhere in the world apart from the States!’ while another said, ‘We say ground floor cos it’s on the ground and no steps are needed. It’s the norm dude.’
A third commented: ‘Is it me or is ground floor extremely normal globally. Like every country I’ve been. Even hotels in the USA from my experience…’
A fourth chimed: ‘You didn’t nearly “go to jail”. You annoyed a woman by trying to enter her ground floor flat when you were staying on the first floor. The police were not called. You were not facing arrest at any time.’
One person, who resonated with Toteda’s mix-up, said: ‘I think it’s all of Europe, same in France. I made the same mistake.’
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