An American visiting London has revealed he almost ended up ‘in jail’ after misconstruing a common British saying. But many have argued that it’s common sense
An American tourist has revealed the moment he was ‘almost arrested’ after not understanding a common British saying – but people quickly argued it was ‘common sense’.
There are currently 67 countries around the globe where English is an official language, totalling 88 countries and territories in the English-speaking world. However, it’s still safe to say that the usage of the language can vary significantly depending on where you are.
Nick Toteda discovered this during his trip to London. While trying to locate his Airbnb accommodation, he encountered a significant language barrier.
He took to Instagram to recount how a misunderstanding with his Airbnb host nearly landed him in prison. In his video, Nick is seen sitting on the floor of a bedroom as he narrates his near-miss with breaking into someone else’s flat in London.
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“British people… I just nearly went to jail for breaking and entering because of your lingo,” he jibed at the start of the video before explaining what had happened.
He went on to share that the weekend before filming the video, he had booked an Airbnb in a block of flats in London. After receiving the keys, he messaged the host to ask for the flat’s location, to which the host responded it was ‘on the first floor to the right’.
Believing he had found the correct flat, Nick attempted to unlock the door with his key but failed. “It’s not really working, so I’m like fidgeting around with it,” he said, before alerting the Airbnb host that the door wouldn’t budge.
Despite having the correct key, it was ‘not turning’. The host then suggested he try the other locks on the door, which had three locks stacked vertically. However, this method also failed as he remained locked out of the flat.
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The host then advised him to ‘really pull’ on the door and the lock due to the door’s age. “I’m here like pulling on this door, and out of nowhere, a woman opens the door,” he explained. “And she’s like, ‘ pardon me? Can I help you? Why are you doing that to my door?'”
Nick went on to say he was taken aback as he hadn’t expected anyone to be in the flat. He then explained it was his Airbnb, to which the woman replied it was actually her home, leading Nick to apologise and show her the Airbnb listing, stating it was on the ‘first floor to the right’.
“She was like, ‘first floor? That’s one above’,” Nick recalled, expressing his confusion. Nonetheless, he climbed up to the next level, where he immediately gained access to the property.
Once inside, Nick asked if the Airbnb host had meant the second floor, but the host quickly dismissed this, insisting it was one level above the ground floor. “I’m like ground? When has the ground ever been a floor in a building? I was so confused,” he 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.
“Why are we saying ground floor? Who has ever said that?” he said. “I’m lucky she’s not pressing charges because I could not survive in jail to be honest.”
The comments section exploded with replies, as numerous users highlighted that this was ‘common knowledge’ across the globe. “It isn’t just a British thing. It’s literally everywhere in the world apart from the States!” one user declared.
Another added: “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 third remarked: “As an American, the term ‘ground floor’ makes total sense to me. What doesn’t make sense to me is calling the literal second floor of a structure the first floor.”
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