Cha brah

Pooja: The week back after spring break is not a pretty one. People are either coughed up on infection, homesick or making snarly faces at the minority few that came back with beautiful tans. While most people are preoccupied with such issues, I seem to have a slightly more pressing problem. Over my spring break I went to visit two of my best friends who are studying abroad in Paris (I know, I really should have no complaints whatsoever). During the first day of my trip, my friend and I came across a group of people known as the Hare Krishnas, who are an International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Now I myself am a Hindu and do know and follow the prayers of the Hindu religion; however, seeing a group of French people dressed in saris chanting on the streets of Paris was quite an interesting sight. The group took my friend and me and danced with us, without letting us go, for about 20 minutes. My friend and I laughed at the oddity of it all and then forgot the whole incident. Three days later, in a completely different location across the city, we were sitting at a small café and heard the distant sound of drums. We knew immediately -- it was the Hare Krishnas. Just as we expected, it was the exact same group of people, in the exact same outfits, chanting away. So, dear readers, I think I am being followed by a Parisian group of Hare Krishnas. If you hear any distant drumming or singing in Medford, please give me a warning. So for this week, if you could send in any of your strange spring break queries to our forum, we will give you our expert advice. Being followed by a group of religious chanting women? A little bit too tan on one side of your body? Convinced you found the love of your life over spring break but not sure if you remember their name correctly? No question is too bizarre, so send them in and we will get back to you.

Dear NYSD,

My coworker is super cute, but I only see him once a week. How do I make him love me?

Rebecca:

Dear Reader,

I completely believe that seeing someone once a week is enough exposure to make him love you. The exposure effect argues that one develops a preference for things that one sees often, so if you become one of those things, maybe he will start to prefer you. Moreover, I have a horrible habit of falling in love with people before I even know their names. If he is anything like me, this will be a cakewalk. In fact, I spent the majority of my undergrad years completely smitten with a boy who would only skateboard past me and throw the occasional “Cha Brah” my way. Who knows, maybe you’re his aloof skateboarder. So, reader, just flirt and make sure that during your weekly interactions your hair and your personality are on point. We here at NYSD believe that most of life is showing up -- and because he is contractually obliged to show up for work, this seems very viable.

Dear NYSD,

Should I make out with one of classmates?

Rebecca: This is a slippery slope. If it goes well, you could have a flourishing relationship; if it does not, you could have the most awkward class of you life, at least twice a week. However, the semester is almost over, so I would advise you to throw caution to the wind and make out with whomever you see fit.

That’s all we have for this week! Keep submitting your questions to our Google doc, otherwise we’re going to have to make them up.