Turning plates when someone leaves the dining table ensures their safe travels

Jessa:
Wait, don’t stand up yet! Let me turn your plate first.

Miguel:
What? Jessa, I’m just going to the restroom.

Jessa:
Exactly! That’s why I need to turn your plate. You know—para safe travel. Even if it’s just a 10-step trip to the bathroom, you never know.

Miguel:
(laughs) Jessa, moving a plate won’t protect me from slipping on your tiled floor. Physics doesn’t care about plates.

Jessa:
Says you. My lola swore by this. She said turning the plate keeps the person’s “energy path” straight so nothing bad interrupts their journey.

Miguel:
But what does “energy path” even mean? If it worked, airlines should start turning plates before takeoff.

Jessa:
Uy, don’t joke. I’m serious! Last year, remember when we had lunch at Dhang’s house? Her cousin left the table without turning the plate, and ten minutes later his tricycle tire went flat.

Miguel:
Jessa, flat tires happen to everyone. By that logic, if I sneeze right after blinking, it’s because my socks aren’t aligned.

Jessa:
You really don’t believe anything until there’s data, no?

Miguel:
Well… yeah. If plate-turning really affected safety, hospitals, buses, jeepneys—everyone would be doing it. Imagine the conductor: “Bayad po… and please hand me your plate so I can turn it!”

Jessa:
(laughs) Okay, that would be funny. But traditions matter. Turning plates feels like we’re wishing someone well, even silently.

Miguel:
That part I get. It feels comforting. It’s like saying “ingat ka” without actually saying it.

Jessa:
Exactly! My family does it automatically. Before my brother leaves for Manila, we turn all the plates on the table. And he always arrives safely.

Miguel:
Maybe because he’s a careful driver and follows traffic rules? Not because your dinnerware shifts orientation like a compass?

Jessa:
You’re impossible. So you’re saying the plate has zero effect?

Miguel:
Well, unless it’s a frisbee protecting me from pigeons—yes, zero effect. But if the tradition helps you express care, I won’t fight that. Just… don’t think it controls the universe.

Jessa:
Fine, Mr. Science. But I’m still turning your plate when you leave. It makes me feel better.

Miguel:
And I won’t stop you—as long as you admit the real safety factor here is my shoes having good grip.

Jessa:
Deal. Now go to the restroom. Your plate is properly rotated for maximum “energy alignment.”

Miguel:
Good. If I make it back alive, I’ll publish a research paper about it.

Jessa:
I’ll co-author! “The Rotational Plate Theory of Bathroom Survival.”

Miguel:
Catchy. Lola would be proud.