Setting:
A cozy Russian apartment in Saint Petersburg. It’s late afternoon, snow is gently falling outside the window. Yuri is sitting on the couch sipping tea, scrolling through his phone. Ivan walks in, scratching his right hand furiously, looking both worried and excited.
Ivan: (excitedly)
Yuri, my right hand’s been itching since morning. I’m definitely getting some money today!
Yuri: (without looking up)
Or maybe you just need to moisturize.
Ivan:
No, no, no! You know the saying: “Right hand itches — money’s coming in. Left hand itches — money’s going out.” It never fails.
Yuri: (chuckles and puts the phone down)
Come on, Vanya. That’s just an old superstition. There’s no scientific basis for itchy palms predicting financial transactions. You probably just touched something you’re mildly allergic to.
Ivan:
You always say that, but remember last month? My right hand itched all day, and that evening I found 500 rubles on the street near the metro. Coincidence? I don’t think so!
Yuri:
Yes! And the next day your left hand itched and you dropped 700 rubles on your phone case from that overpriced kiosk. Where’s the profit, Nostradamus?
Ivan: (grinning)
That’s the balance of the universe, my friend. You have to respect the signs!
Yuri: (mock seriousness)
Okay, what if I told you there’s a scientific term for this? It’s called “confirmation bias.” You remember the hits and forget the misses. How many times have your hands itched and nothing happened?
Ivan: (pauses, then shrugs)
A few times… but I might have missed the signs. Maybe the money came in another form. Like… karmic credit?
Yuri: (laughing)
Karmic credit? What is this, a spiritual rewards program?
Ivan:
Exactly! The universe keeps a tab, you know. My grandma swore by this stuff. She used to say, “If your right hand itches, don’t scratch it on wood — you’ll scare the money away.” I still avoid wooden furniture when it happens.
Yuri: (playfully rolls eyes)
And I suppose if a black cat crosses your path, you walk backward while spinning to undo the curse?
Ivan:
Only on Tuesdays.
Yuri:
Listen, I get that these traditions can be comforting, even fun. But wouldn’t it make more sense to focus on actual ways to make or save money? Like budgeting? Investing?
Ivan:
Pffft. Spreadsheets don’t make me feel lucky. An itchy palm? That’s hope. It’s like a little nudge from fate saying, “Hang in there, Vanya. Payday’s coming.”
Yuri:
Hope is good. But logic pays the rent. If you want signs from the universe, try checking your bank balance after payday. Very enlightening.
Ivan: (chuckling)
You’re impossible. Next thing you’ll tell me is that spilling salt isn’t bad luck.
Yuri:
It’s just sodium chloride. If you spill it, clean it up. If you spill it at my place, definitely clean it up.
Ivan:
Fine. But if my wallet gets mysteriously fuller today, I’m not sharing.
Yuri:
Deal. But if you get a rash and have to buy ointment, I’m saying “I told you so.”
Ivan: (grinning)
Fair enough, Professor Logic. Now pass me that tea — my left hand’s starting to itch and I need some comfort.
Science Vs Superstition 
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