Do not hang wet clothes outside at night during Hungry Ghost month or spirits may “wear” them

Jason: Eh, Wei Ming, why are you bringing in your laundry? It’s only 8 PM. The clothes aren’t even dry yet.

Wei Ming: Of course I’m bringing them in. It’s Hungry Ghost Month. You’re not supposed to leave wet clothes hanging outside at night.

Jason: Let me guess. Spirits will come and wear them?

Wei Ming: Exactly! My grandmother always said that. Wet clothes hanging outside are like an invitation for wandering spirits.

Jason: Your grandmother also said drinking cold water after exercise would make your stomach explode.

Wei Ming: That’s different.

Jason: Is it though?

Wei Ming: Laugh all you want. There are stories. My aunt left clothes outside during Hungry Ghost Month years ago. The next morning she said the clothes felt unusually cold and heavy.

Jason: They were wet, Wei Ming. Wet clothes are supposed to feel cold and heavy.

Wei Ming: No, no. She said it felt strange. Like someone had been wearing them.

Jason: That’s exactly what I mean. If someone already believes spirits are around, every unusual thing starts looking supernatural.

Wei Ming: Then how do you explain so many people believing the same thing?

Jason: Lots of people once believed the Earth was the center of the universe too.

Wei Ming: Wah, comparing my grandmother to medieval astronomers now?

Jason: I’m just saying popularity doesn’t equal evidence.

Wei Ming: But traditions exist for a reason.

Jason: I actually agree with that. Sometimes there’s a practical reason hidden behind the superstition.

Wei Ming: Such as?

Jason: Think about old Singapore before modern apartments and dryers. Leaving clothes outside overnight meant they could stay damp, collect dust, attract insects, or even get stolen.

Wei Ming: So you’re saying people invented ghost stories just to make everyone bring their laundry in?

Jason: Honestly, that’s not impossible. Parents have always used scary stories to encourage good habits.

Wei Ming: Like telling children that if they swallow watermelon seeds, watermelons will grow in their stomach?

Jason: Exactly. Nobody wanted kids swallowing seeds, so they invented a dramatic consequence.

Wei Ming: Hmm.

Jason: Also, have you ever seen actual evidence of a spirit wearing clothes?

Wei Ming: No, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.

Jason: Fair point. But if spirits are wearing clothes, wouldn’t we expect some evidence? Security cameras, photos, weird fabric stretching, something?

Wei Ming: Maybe spirits don’t show up on cameras.

Jason: Convenient.

Wei Ming: You scientists always want proof for everything.

Jason: Not everything. Just claims about reality. If someone says a ghost is borrowing my T-shirt, I need more than “my grandmother said so.”

Wei Ming: Okay, Mr. Science. Explain something then.

Jason: Go ahead.

Wei Ming: Every Hungry Ghost Month, I somehow feel uneasy walking home late at night.

Jason: That’s actually interesting. Psychologists have studied things like that. When we’re told a certain time or place is scary, our brains become extra alert.

Wei Ming: You mean I’m imagining it?

Jason: Not imagining it. The feeling is real. The cause might not be ghosts. If you’re already expecting something spooky, every shadow looks suspicious and every sound seems strange.

Wei Ming: Like watching a horror movie before bed.

Jason: Exactly. Suddenly the coat hanging on a chair becomes a monster.

Wei Ming: I hate when that happens.

Jason: Everyone does.

Wei Ming: Still, I think I’ll bring my laundry in tonight.

Jason: Because of ghosts?

Wei Ming: Because if it rains unexpectedly, you’ll be the one laughing at me tomorrow.

Jason: Finally, a scientific reason.

Wei Ming: Don’t get too excited. I still think there might be spirits around.

Jason: And I still think they’re not interested in your old football jersey.

Wei Ming: How do you know? Maybe even ghosts support Liverpool.

Jason: If they do, that explains why they’ve been suffering for decades.

Wei Ming: Oi! That’s crossing the line.

Jason: See? The only scary thing tonight is your football team.

Wei Ming: Fine, fine. Come help me bring in the clothes.

Jason: Sure. If a ghost asks to borrow your shirt, tell him to return it washed and ironed.

Wei Ming: Deal. Though knowing Singapore’s humidity, even ghosts can’t keep clothes dry.