At a hawker centre in Singapore, two friends are having kopi and kaya toast.
Amir: Eh, can you stop shaking your leg like that?
Daniel: (looks down) Huh? Oh… I didn’t even realize I was doing it.
Amir: My grandmother always said, “Don’t shake your leg, later you shake all your luck and money away.”
Daniel: (laughs) Seriously? You still believe that?
Amir: Of course lah! It’s an old tradition. Elders don’t just say things for fun, you know.
Daniel: I’m pretty sure they said it so kids would sit still and not look restless.
Amir: No, no. It’s deeper than that. Energy flow and all. If you keep shaking your leg, you disturb your good fortune.
Daniel: Bro, if leg-shaking really affected bank accounts, half of Singapore would be broke already. Have you seen people on the MRT? Everyone is vibrating like washing machines.
Amir: Maybe that’s why so many people complain about not enough money!
Daniel: Or maybe it’s because HDB prices keep going up?
Amir: Don’t be sarcastic. I have real examples, okay? My uncle used to shake his leg all the time. Then his business failed.
Daniel: And you’re sure the reason wasn’t bad management or the pandemic?
Amir: …Okay, that also played a part. But still!
Daniel: See! You’re connecting two unrelated things. That’s called confirmation bias. You remember the one case that fits the belief and ignore everything else.
Amir: Wah, Mr. Scientist today ah.
Daniel: I’m just saying, there’s no logical mechanism. How would moving your muscles up and down affect money in your bank account?
Amir: Maybe it creates negative vibes.
Daniel: If that’s true, gyms would be the unluckiest places on earth.
Amir: That’s different! Exercise is intentional.
Daniel: So the universe can tell the difference between intentional shaking and accidental shaking?
Amir: …You’re very annoying, you know that?
Daniel: (grinning) I’m trying to save you from unnecessary stress. Last week you told me you forced yourself to sit perfectly still during a job interview because you were scared of “shaking away the salary.”
Amir: Exactly! And I got the job!
Daniel: You got the job because you’re qualified, not because your legs behaved themselves.
Amir: Maybe both helped.
Daniel: Okay, think of it this way. I shake my leg all the time, right?
Amir: Yes, and it drives me crazy.
Daniel: But I still got promoted last month.
Amir: Hmm… that one I cannot explain.
Daniel: Exactly. Evidence matters. If the belief was true, there should be a clear pattern. But there isn’t.
Amir: Traditions aren’t always about science. Sometimes they’re about discipline and manners.
Daniel: Now that, I can agree with. Sitting calmly looks more professional. But that’s social etiquette, not supernatural economics.
Amir: So you’re saying the belief is just… a polite way to tell people not to fidget?
Daniel: Most likely. Like how parents say, “Don’t point at the moon or your ear will get cut.” Obviously the moon isn’t carrying a knife.
Amir: (laughs) Okay, that one is definitely nonsense.
Daniel: Exactly. But it made kids behave, right?
Amir: True lah. My mother used to scare me with that.
Daniel: See? Same category.
Amir: But I still feel uneasy when I see someone shaking their leg.
Daniel: Feelings are fine. Just don’t assume the universe is monitoring your knees.
Amir: So if I shake my leg right now, you guarantee I won’t lose money?
Daniel: I guarantee nothing… except that your kopi will still cost $1.20.
Amir: (smiles) You know what, I’ll try an experiment.
Daniel: What experiment?
Amir: I’ll purposely shake my leg for the rest of the day. If something bad happens, I’m blaming you.
Daniel: Deal. And if something good happens?
Amir: Then… maybe I’ll rethink my superstition.
Daniel: That’s the scientific spirit!
Amir: But if I miss the bus later, I’m going back to my grandmother’s rules.
Daniel: Fair enough. Just don’t shake the bus while you’re at it.
Amir: Very funny.
Daniel: Come on, finish your toast. Lucky or not, lunchtime is almost over.
Amir: Okay, okay. But seriously… try not to shake so much lah.
Daniel: I’ll try—for your peace of mind, not for my fortune.
Amir: Good enough for me.
They both laugh and continue their meal, one a little more relaxed, the other a little more skeptical—but still good friends.
Science Vs Superstition 
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