HELSINKI AIRPORT

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understandinguncertainty.org was produced by the Winton programme for the public understanding of risk based in the Statistical Laboratory in the University of Cambridge. The aim was to help improve the way that uncertainty and risk are discussed in society, and show how probability and statistics can be both useful and entertaining.

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On a weekend business visit to Helsinki in August 2008, I purchased some dark glasses at the airport before boarding my return flight to Heathrow. Immediately dispensing with the packaging I noticed what looked like an important piece of paper on the floor next to the waste bin I was using. I looked at it; it was a hotel expenses receipt for "Martin Rieser" - a close friend from Bristol - so I put it in my pocket ! On returning to Bristol I telephoned Martin. He had also been on a business trip to Helsinki that weekend, all expenses paid; he told me that unfortunately he had lost his expenses receipt from the hotel ! I had not seen Martin for a few weeks before that business trip and neither of us knew that the other had any connections with Helsinki or were planning to go there.
Total votes: 386
Date submitted:Sun, 15 Jan 2012 07:37:57 +0000Coincidence ID:4391

Comments

ageorgeplatts

Mon, 30/01/2012 - 7:06pm

The author of this Helsinki Airport coincidence, an observant person full of curiousity, has been picking up pieces of paper (and other stuff), next to waste paper bins and elsewhere, on a regular basis for about 50 years so it was only a matter of time . . . . . .

ageorgeplatts

Tue, 31/01/2012 - 1:49pm

I have been waiting to describe 4 extreme coincidences that I have experienced for many years; to log them somewhere where some interest might be shown in them. I jumped at the chance to describe them (Helsinki Airport, Same Address, Found Object, and Farnham Junior Art School) on the Understanding Uncertainty website. I was pleased with the way I had described them so have cut and pasted them into e-mails to my daughters, friends and colleagues. I gave Bob, a colleague, a print out and he enjoyed reading them. Bob and I have a similar taste in films and work together in Southampton. My home is in Bristol and Bob had ordered a short documentary film about a First World War poet and composer that had been made by a small independent film company based in Bristol. We often show each other films and the day after Bob had read about my four coincidences, he showed me a film where I recognised somebody, fom Bristol, playiong a small part. It was Martin Rieser. I did not know that Martin acted !