parents in coincidence

As of the 23rd May 2022 this website is archived and will receive no further updates.

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.

Many of the animations were produced using Flash and will no longer work.

An old friend went on a trip to Africa for several months. On the same trip were a couple (A+C) from Australia. A year or so later they were doing their overseas experience, living in London not far from us so went to have a meal at their house, where I met them for the first time. I noticed that A had some biscuits with a girl guide badge on them and commented because my mum has been in guiding for years. A's mum was also a guider and was on holiday in the UK. This is a precis of the conversation that ensued: me:" where are they travelling at the moment?" A:" In Cornwall" me "I'm from cornwall, whereabouts are they? A "A place called Falmouth" me: "I'm from Falmouth, where are they staying?" A "With a pen pal called J" At this point I was speechless as they were actually staying with my mother! I knew she had a guiding penpal in australia but had not known they were coming to stay and I didn't know their surname, nor did A know mine at that point.
Total votes: 344
Date submitted:Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:07:21 +0000Coincidence ID:4063

Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

Sat, 14/01/2012 - 2:09pm

Jan 2004 I was in a small town in Cuba, in a bar having lunch when i met an old friend who was also there without either of us knowing we were going to Cuba. I was on a tour so was only in this place for 1 day out of 14.