A man from Canada residing in the UK shared an amusing anecdote about nearly getting into trouble during a trip to London, thanks to differing floor numbering systems between the UK and Canada.

Nick Toredes moved to London with his partner, Anthony, in 2022 and recounted his experience in a popular Instagram video that ignited conversations around cultural and language disparities between the countries.

In the clip posted to @nicktoteda on September 10, Nick, seated on his bedroom floor, detailed his near run-in with law enforcement.

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.’

He made the mistake of assuming the ‘first floor’ meant the same as in Canada and the US—referring to the ground level—and proceeded to attempt unlocking a door on that level.

However he soon discovered the key didn’t fit the lock. 

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?”‘

He was caught by surprise when a woman pointed out that he was trying to enter her home, not the Airbnb he had rented.

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.

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.’