So where are we meeting?

[TellMeI'mNotCrazy]

Probably about 6 years, ago, I picked up a copy of Games Magazine, which is one of those little addictions that I can't seem to rid myself of. Even if half of the puzzles are too easy, anda lot of the other half just don't do it for me. But I always read it cover to cover, and sometimes pick up cool little tidbits in it.


So on that occasion, six years ago, I was on a trip to North Carolina, and lying in the hotel room at the end of a long day. Came across a little snippet of article, which to the best of my recollection, read as follows:

You've been told that you have to meet someone one month from today at 12:30. You are not told who it is you have to meet, or where. You have to pick a place that is a) outside of the United States b) a secular* location c) a specific spot. (Therefore, you can't say "Washington, DC" because that's not specific enough, not to mention it's in the US.) The person you are meeting has been given the same instructions.

So, where would you go to meet the mystery person?

It then said to turn to page 47 for the answer.

Now, I was baffled by the "Turn to page 47" bit, because obviously this is not a "right or wrong" kind of question. But I dutifully chose my answer, and turned to page 47. I had gotten it "right." I turned to my ex-husband, and asked him. He also got it right. Moreover, about 99% of the people I've posed this question to have also gotten it "right." And the look on their faces when you give them the answer they thought of is priceless. (I would write it on a slip of paper, hand it to them, and have them read it after they gave their answer) So, in the interest of nonscientific science...

You do the same thing. Pick your place, and then read the spoiler box below. Let me know if you were "right", and if not, then let me know where you DID pick.

SPOILER:

See you at the Eiffel Tower.

*I feel stupid for adding this, but some of the people I have asked did not know the meaning (or had it reversed) so secular is defined as "Non-religious".


Oh, and the other question.

Anyone else seen this before?

[BurnMeUp]

Originally Posted by TellMeI'mNotCrazy

Probably about 6 years, ago, I picked up a copy of Games Magazine, which is one of those little addictions that I can't seem to rid myself of. Even if half of the puzzles are too easy, anda lot of the other half just don't do it for me. But I always read it cover to cover, and sometimes pick up cool little tidbits in it.


So on that occasion, six years ago, I was on a trip to North Carolina, and lying in the hotel room at the end of a long day. Came across a little snippet of article, which to the best of my recollection, read as follows:



It then said to turn to page 47 for the answer.

Now, I was baffled by the "Turn to page 47" bit, because obviously this is not a "right or wrong" kind of question. But I dutifully chose my answer, and turned to page 47. I had gotten it "right." I turned to my ex-husband, and asked him. He also got it right. Moreover, about 99% of the people I've posed this question to have also gotten it "right." And the look on their faces when you give them the answer they thought of is priceless. (I would write it on a slip of paper, hand it to them, and have them read it after they gave their answer) So, in the interest of nonscientific science...

You do the same thing. Pick your place, and then read the spoiler box below. Let me know if you were "right", and if not, then let me know where you DID pick.

SPOILER:

See you at the Eiffel Tower.

*I feel stupid for adding this, but some of the people I have asked did not know the meaning (or had it reversed) so secular is defined as "Non-religious".


Oh, and the other question.

Anyone else seen this before?

My first time seeing it.

I first thought of the Taj Mahal, since it's not realy secular but just a burial site. But since there is a Mosque on the grounds I figured if that didn't count my second guess would be the Eiffel Tower.

[Oregon sunshine]

OMG! That's totally crazy. That is definitely the answer I picked prior to reading the spoiler box. I'll have to remember that one! (And no, I'd never seen it before... Great trick!!)

[Scarlett67]

I got it "right" also.

[IrreverentTone]

Something must be wrong with me. I picked the main entrance to the British Museum in London.

[MissTake]

I picked the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

[The Mad Hermit]

I was thinking, "it's either the base of Big Ben in London or the Eiffel Tower."

I probably would have chosen the latter, if I was forced to make a choice. How many other single points are as accessible to meet someone, and famous enough to be a first choice? Red Square, under the overlook where the premiers watched the May Day parade? The Brandenburg Gate? Sydney Opera House? The hall that contains the Kaaba (sp?) in Mecca? The Wailing Wall? St. Peter's Square?

[Hal Briston]

Both kittenlm and I got it "right". Pretty interesting.

[harmless]

Originally Posted by Steelerphan

I was thinking, "it's either the base of Big Ben in London or the Eiffel Tower."

I thought Big Ben, too, but never researched it before to know if it had any religious connotations.
For all I know, it could be sitting on top of a church.
I need to get out more.

Ok, researched it and according to AboutBritain.com it wouldn't matter.

The tower is not open to the general public, but those with a "special interest" may arrange a visit to the top of the Clock Tower through their local (UK) MP.

I guess you could still meet in front of it.

[Quartz]

I chose Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.

[quiltguy154]

I was half a world away because I chose the top of Mt. Everest.

[Cisco]

My first thought was Big Ben, but then I though what if the person I'm meeting isn't big on flying, or boats, so I decided to meet them at Niagra Falls.

I don't understand how there can be a "right" answer to this

[Cisco]

Originally Posted by quiltguy154

I was half a world away because I chose the top of Mt. Everest.

It takes a lot longer than a month to get there.

[Armilla]

I guess I'm way lazier than most. My answer was "The bench across the road from [my address]".

I'm not making a special trip just for a puzzle, y'know.

[Rhiannon8404]

Originally Posted by qts

I chose Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.

Me, too! So when are we meeting?

[amarinth]

Apparently, I'll be hanging out with BurnMeUp in India.

[Phèdre nó Delaunay]

I picked the Eiffel Tower as well! Mr. Delaunay picked the Sidney Opera House.

[TellMeI'mNotCrazy]

Originally Posted by Cisco

My first thought was Big Ben, but then I though what if the person I'm meeting isn't big on flying, or boats, so I decided to meet them at Niagra Falls.

I don't understand how there can be a "right" answer to this

Well there isn't, but the point of the piece in the magazine (and this thread) was that for some odd reason, a majority of people will choose the Eiffel Tower. I don't know what kind of data they had to back that up, (I'm pretty sure the number they claimed was 93%), and I don't know whether it's a regional thing - (does it work as well with people outside of the US, for example?) but even in this thread, a fair number of people (6, including spouses) picked the Eiffel Tower, which is a lot more than the other non-Eiffel choices. Maybe it's more accurate to say "The Eiffel Tower will be picked more times than another location."

So, obviously, there is no right or wrong answer, just one that is easier to predict than the rest. Among the other responses I tend to get are The Louvre, Big Ben, and The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Just nowhere near as often as the good ol' Eiffel Tower. I couldn't even say why I chose it - I have no particular desire to go there. It was just the first thing that popped into my head.

[wolfman]

Well I guess I'll be all alone at the CN tower, *sniff*

Basically I figured the most distinctive thing that is closest to the U.S.

[Scribble]

I'm all alone....

I picked the HI youth hostel in Salvador, Brazil. Ah, well...

[One And Only Wanderers]

It worked for me too.

They are obviously broadcasting thought control rays from the top of the damn thing

[delphica]

Funny, my first thought was my (former) office in Florence, because I'm terrible at directions and I already know how to get there. Then, it occurred to me that it might be difficult for someone else to find it, so I picked the Eiffel Tower.

I am wondering what place would be named if the question were flipped for the non-US Dopers, and they were asked to pick a meeting location within the US. Would we see one site come up over and over?

[Mayfield St. Cloud]

Originally Posted by wolfman

Well I guess I'll be all alone at the CN tower, *sniff*

No, you won't. I'll bring the Labatt's, you bring the snacks.

In all honesty, my first choice was the Eiffel Tower, and I deliberately picked another location because I surmised that most folks would think of the ET first.

Interesting thread.

[Salem]

I'm at Niagara Falls with Cisco, I guess. The Canadian side, of course.

Mt. Everest was my first thought so maybe I'll run in to QuiltGuy in another puzzle. I'll be the one with the loaded yak.

[nocturnal_tick]

I first thought of my college, then a train station, then Nelson's Column. I think it has something to do with that you are meeting a stranger. You subconsciously would pick a place that is:

1) Filled with people, for protection.

2) Somewhere well known, so the stranger knows where to come.

3) Hi Opal!

People + well known = landmarks, for the most parts and I chose Nelson's Column just because I'm originally from London.

[Ethilrist]

South Pole.

Bring extra socks.

[leafrog]

I kind of came close to the Eiffel Tower...sorta. I chose Tokyo Tower, which looks somewhat like it. Except it's orange. Orange!!!

[Cerri]

Hehe, I picked Eiffel Tower too...should have seen the on my face when I read the spoiler box. *teehee*

[Optihut]

Funny thing, Paris seemed like the place to go for me too. But then I thought that since we're both coming in by plane anyway, Charles De Gaulle Airport would be the place to meet up. Oh well, I guess I missed my mystery date

[AbbySthrnAccent]

Originally Posted by Steelerphan

I was thinking, "it's either the base of Big Ben in London or the Eiffel Tower."

My first thoughts to solve the puzzle were the same as Steelerphan. However thinking about what I would come up with living in a house full of men who are golfers and a Scot grandfather, I thought of the St Andrews Old Course and Royal and Ancient Clubhouse.

[AbbySthrnAccent]

Oh failed to mention, inspite of St. Andrews name, it's not a religious place is it? Then again I did have a grandfather that would rather golf than go to church.

[Doctor Jackson]

You'll find me with wolfman and Mayfield St. Cloud at the CN Tower. Don't know why, but Paris never entered my mind. I thought about South and Central America first, but settled on Canada as the "prime choice".

[Ludovic]

I thought the "Answer" was either Big Ben or the Arc D'Triumph...I didnt even consider the Eiffel Tower!

[neuroman]

Nitpick: did the question say 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 a.m., or did it not specify?

My first thought was indeed The Eiffel Tower, but then I reconsidered and picked the eternal flame at the Arc d'Triomphe.

[Debaser]

I first thought of Supersex in Montreal.

Then I tried to think of what the "correct" answer would probably be and came up with the Eiffel tower. It just seems like the most obvious place when you think "foreign".

I place the blame for this on Superman II. Or was it III?

[TellMeI'mNotCrazy]

Originally Posted by neuroman

Nitpick: did the question say 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 a.m., or did it not specify?

My first thought was indeed The Eiffel Tower, but then I reconsidered and picked the eternal flame at the Arc d'Triomphe.

I honestly can't remember, but if it did specify, I would assume it was p.m., as that's the way I've always thought of it.

It's definitely neat that it works at least a decent amount of the time even here on the board... And the one main trend I've noticed is, most of you have chosen really tall places. I imagine there's something in that, but what it is, I couldn't say.

[ataraxy22]

I'll be waiting by the little itsy bitsy Mannequin Pis statue/fountain in Brussels. Why go to the Eiffel Tower where there are way too many people milling about over way to large of an area that must be searched!?

[ataraxy22]

I'll be waiting by the tiny "Mannequin Pis" statue/fountain in Brussels. Why go to the Eiffel Tower which has lots and lots of people milling about over a fairly large area, when you can easily designate an exact spot?!

[ataraxy22]

I'll be waiting by the tiny "Mannequin Pis" statue/fountain in Brussels. Why go to the Eiffel Tower which has lots and lots of people milling about over a fairly large area, when you can easily designate an exact spot?!

[Cerowyn]

I thought Hachiko Square, 'cause I know that's where Sublight will be (and maybe scr4, 'cause I think we met there once, too).

[Cisco]

I'll be waiting by the tiny "Mannequin Pis" statue/fountain in Brussels. Why go to the Eiffel Tower which has lots and lots of people milling about over a fairly large area, when you can easily designate an exact spot?!

[TellMeI'mNotCrazy]

Lemme guess, Cisco, will you be armed with a 1920s style death ray?

I swear, if that becomes a catchphrase, I'm gonna cry.

[MovieMogul]

Originally Posted by wolfman

Well I guess I'll be all alone at the CN tower, *sniff*

Basically I figured the most distinctive thing that is closest to the U.S.

The what now? Never heard of it.









(I thought Tour d'Eiffel aussi)

[Lady Kate]

Originally Posted by One And Only Wanderers

It worked for me too.

They are obviously broadcasting thought control rays from the top of the damn thing

I, too, chose the Eiffel Tower.

Runs away looking for tin foil hat.

[mnemosyne]

I chose the ROM, but I suppose I could head down to the CN tower if that's where people are gonna gather in Toronto!

And I literally did laugh out loud at the thought of meeting up at Club Supersex! Ahhh, Montreal!

[Amp]

I thought it was Big Ben also.

[jessicala]

OK, I'm going to be all alone, and freezing my ass off besides, up at the North Pole.

[Syntropy]

Originally Posted by Ludovic

I thought the "Answer" was either Big Ben or the Arc D'Triumph...I didnt even consider the Eiffel Tower!

The Arc d'Triumph was my second choice. The first place I thought of was Stonehenge, but wasn't sure if it would be disqualified as "religious"....

[Loopus]

Strangely, I chose the Tower of London.

[Zulema]

I chose the Canadian side of Niagra Falls. I actually expected to see that as the answer.