Setting: A sunny afternoon in São Paulo. Two friends, Lucas and Mateus, are sitting at a café near Avenida Paulista, sipping cafezinhos and eating pão de queijo.
Lucas: (looking over his phone)
You won’t believe this, man. My cousin Ana is getting married. In August.
Mateus: (taking a sip)
And? That’s great news!
Lucas: (wide-eyed)
In AUGUST, Mateus. The cursed month. Everyone knows that’s a terrible idea. It’s called the “mês do desgosto” for a reason!
Mateus: (chuckling)
Lucas, come on. You’re not seriously going to cancel a wedding because of the calendar?
Lucas:
Hey! It’s not just me. My grandma refused to get surgery in August. My uncle postponed buying his house until September. Remember when I booked that trip to Rio last year in August? Flight got canceled, I got sunburned, and I dropped my phone in the ocean. Desgosto, man.
Mateus:
Okay, let’s slow down. That sounds like… life. Not cosmic punishment from the month of August. I’ve had bad weeks in January. Should we cancel New Year’s?
Lucas: (defensive)
But it’s not just personal stuff. Dom Pedro I’s abdication was in August. Getúlio Vargas died in August. My mom says even pets disappear more often that month!
Mateus: (grinning)
So you’re telling me cats consult the Gregorian calendar and go, “Ah yes, August. Time to vanish!”?
Lucas: (trying to stay serious but smirking)
I’m just saying—when so many bad things happen in the same month, there’s gotta be something to it.
Mateus:
Or… hear me out… we notice the bad stuff more because we expect it. That’s called confirmation bias, my friend. Like when you buy a red car, and suddenly you see red cars everywhere.
Lucas:
Okay, Mr. Science. Then explain why my ex dumped me in August.
Mateus:
Probably because you wore those flamingo shorts to her sister’s baptism.
Lucas: (laughs)
Fair point. But still—August feels cursed.
Mateus:
Feelings aren’t facts. Remember when you said your aunt’s dog barked every time it was going to rain?
Lucas:
Yeah, he was like a furry little meteorologist.
Mateus:
You said that—but turns out he barked all the time. It just seemed like he was predicting rain.
Lucas:
Okay, fine. But even doctors here sometimes avoid surgeries in August. That has to mean something.
Mateus:
That’s a tradition, not science. Like not putting your purse on the floor because it’ll make you lose money. You think billionaires hover their handbags?
Lucas: (grinning)
Well, maybe that’s why I’m broke.
Mateus:
Look, I get it. Traditions give people comfort. But avoiding life decisions for an entire month? That’s like putting your life on pause because of superstition. Ana and her fiancé are doing what feels right to them. August or not.
Lucas: (sighs)
I just want them to be happy. And not cursed.
Mateus:
Then be there for them. Toast with some champagne. Dance like an idiot. Don’t bring up Getúlio Vargas, for the love of God.
Lucas: (laughs)
Fine, fine. But if it rains frogs or her cake catches fire, I’m blaming you.
Mateus:
Deal. But if it’s a beautiful day and everything goes well, I’m posting “Science 1, Superstition 0” on your Instagram.
Lucas:
You’re impossible.
Mateus:
Nope. Just rational. And possibly magic—depends on the month.
[They clink their coffee cups and burst into laughter as the waiter walks by shaking his head.]
Science Vs Superstition 
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