Correlation versus Causation

It seems like every year I come to Cambodia the rains take a break. Apparently they have torrential downpours just before and after my itinerary. Not that I'm hoping for flooding or anything, but the rains tend to cool things off in a country that doesn't voraciously use air conditioning. I mentioned this to Prem today. 


"Oh, many people say that if someone visits and the rains don't come it's bad luck." 


Not surprised, I responded "It figures. We never get rain in Texas, and as soon as I leave they have tremendous storms. When I get to Cambodia, no rain."


Prem then went on to share an interesting story. "I heard that the King will check the weather before he plans a trip. He will make sure to go if they know it will rain around that time. That way all the people think that he helps to make the rain come."


Ah! Gotta love the old Causation versus Correlation problem. I'm sure my presence has absolutely nothing to do with the weather patterns of Southeast Asia... but Prem also mentioned that it was raining heavily the other night at his house a few kilometers away. We didn't get much of anything here at the hotel. 


Perhaps the rain really is afraid of me...