Bumping into people you know by chance

[HOGEPH]

Today I bumped into a friend I haven't seen in years.

Nothing unusual in that, but he lives in France, I live in the west country, and I bumped into him in Aldi in Crawley.

More unusual is this is about the 6th occasion that I have met people I know in unlikely places.

What are the chances of that?

[ShampooEfficient]

Not as weird as being on a group drive out and having my landlord tap me on the shoulder in Hartside cafe.
Since he was in full pro cyclist kit, it took me a while to recognise him - with the helmet I thought he was a descendant of Isambard Brunel...

[ApOrbital]

10 years ago was in mexico met my boss same hotel we had no idea about the holidays been booked at the same time different flights.

[RATATTAK]

I once bumped into someone I knew in a shop in Tabuk Saudi Arabia ... the last time I had seen him was in Maiduguri in Nigeria 2 years before ... I think I'll get some lottery tickets this week.

Thinking about it, it was probably Yola not Maiduguri

[ApOrbital]

Hiking in scotland met my ex and her new b/f 4000ft up a hill/mountain.

[ApOrbital]

Bumped into my postman in turkey.

[ApOrbital]

Saw my mate down the shops once he was cut in half seeing me.

[stevesingo]

Waiting to get my scoff at the hotplate in Lashkarghar, Helmand. Who is serving, James, the lad who was a storeman in the Ford dealership I worked at as a mechanic 12yrs earlier. Extra egg for me!

[sc0tt]

Was queuing for a ride in disney and was stood behind a pal of mine

[anonymous-user]

I worked in India with another expat who went to school with Mrs OB 30 years ago. Not as good as some but still a wtf moment.

[anonymous-user]

In 2002, getting on a tour bus in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Ex-GF from ten years earlier was already on the same bus.
She's been Mrs CFK for five years now.

[Chimune]

GLASTONBURY 2006 ish and sporadic chanting of 'Dan! ' (a-la Partridge) kept erupting every few hours for the entire festival.

I was indulging in some of this drunken chanting en route between stages, walked around a corner and straight into pal called Dan who hadn't seen for 10 yrs.

I don't know anyone else called Dan!

[Leggy]

Stood admiring Tutankhamun tomb in Egypt only to find myself stood next to a chap from my local sports club!

[Welshbeef]

Met a nice family (Mum Dad and two kids same age as ours). Anyway they stayed at a resort and hotel in Majorca for the same two weeks we were there.
Got in well etc - didn’t exchange details anyway following year went to Menorca different month too and guess who was the next door to our pad... yep them and the exact same two weeks.


Another one was one of my tenants we bumped into them at baggage collection whilst in Greece ...

Last one was a lady I’d met a few times came to nothing (decade + ago) in Reading. Anyway went to Cardiff for a 6Nations Game Wales v Scotland we got into O”Neil’s at 9am (5pm KO 😁) had a pint or two then went to the bar only to find yes her next to me at the bar getting a round in for her mates - this was a year or so after last seeing her or being in contact.

[Rich_W]

Best scenario is to ignore them.

Or better yet, don't have any friends

[covmutley]

When I was in school I bumped into one of my best friends (still a friend 25 years later) at the top of St Michael's mount in France.

He was on a scout trip and tended to keep his scout activity a secret from anyone at school so I had no idea he would be there.

[designforlife]

About a year ago I was travelling back from a work trip to China just before xmas. It was when that gnarly fog hit heathrow, so I was stuck waiting for a connection in Vienna airport as mine was cancelled.

I was sat opposite this girl who looked weirdly familiar. After a few minutes it dawned on me it was one of my old housemates from about 12 years ago.

I pipe up and ask her if she's such and such, turns out she was....very weird! She had been in Vienna for a long weekend visiting the Xmas markets.

We never stayed in touch and weren't even friends on Facebook, truly the last person i would have expected to see anywhere, yet alone an airport terminal in Austria.

[davidc1]

I left my job in a bank in london and a few months later went to visit a mate who was a travel rep in cyprus. He invited me to a rep only bbq and boat trip. When i got to this remote place a girl i worked with in the bank was one of his new reps.

[FN2TypeR]

ApOrbital said:

10 years ago was in mexico met my boss same hotel we had no idea about the holidays been booked at the same time different flights.

That happened to me too, I was stood at a bar in a hotel in Portugal and my former manager tapped me on the shoulder; I wouldn't normally mind if somebody did that of course, but I hated the guy

[RC1807]

Crossflow Kid said:

In 2002, getting on a tour bus in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Ex-GF from ten years earlier was already on the same bus.
She's been Mrs CFK for five years now.

It's not all happy endings, then!