But for Bill (83) and Tui (80) Norman, that is exactly where they met.
Both were still chuckling about it with family and friends at their 60th wedding anniversary in Mosgiel on Saturday.
Mrs Norman (nee Brinsdon) said she first met Mr Norman at the circus purely by chance.
She had been out with friends shopping in Mosgiel one Saturday night and decided to stop at the visiting circus on her way home.
"It was near where Countdown is now. We went there and saw Bill and his larrikin mates. They followed us home and I haven't been able to get rid of him since."
The couple were married in 1949, but what made their wedding so special was Mrs Norman's late twin sister Mavis married her respective husband, the late Les Young, in the same wedding ceremony.
"It was a double wedding. On days like this, we remember my sister and brother-in-law. It was a very special day to share."
Mr Norman said the highlight of their 60th wedding anniversary had simply been being able to attend the family function.
Mr Norman has been ill in hospital for several months and was only released for the day to attend the function with the aid of an oxygen mask and wheelchair.
The couple had also had norovirus during the past week, and at one stage, neither thought they were going to make it.
"We both fought hard to get to our 50th anniversary. We didn't think we would get to 60 years," Mr Norman said.
"This is such a happy time for us," Mrs Norman added.
