The strange tale of Mr Hay and Mr Weisner

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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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Some twenty years ago my wife had an Australian friend (Mr Hay) visit and stay with us in How Wood near Watford. He'd never been to the UK before. During one of the days of his stay he decided to take a day trip into London. London is some 15 miles in from Watford. I had no friends there but travelled there every now and then for a night out. When Mr Hay arrived in London he decided to go to the nearest pub he saw for a drink - which was the "Wetherspoons" pub in Leciester square. He struck up a conversation with the guy sat next to him at the bar and explained that he was staying just outside of Watford. The stranger noted that he was from Watford. "You may know them then" said Mr Hay. "unlikely" said the stranger. "The couple are Neil and Lisa" said Mr Hay. "I know a Neil and Lisa, Neil is my best mate" said the stranger, introducing himself as Mr Weisner. To complete the view of coincidence, Mr Weisner lived in Watford, travelled to London rarely, so the chance of them both meeting and having a conversation that allowed them to note the coincidence is I think extremely low.
Total votes: 333
Date submitted:Tue, 18 Mar 2014 12:10:58 +0000Coincidence ID:7507