By now I’m sure you’ve already introduced yourself to hundreds of people and have probably forgotten who they were the next day. Don’t worry, we’re all in the same boat, but  everyone is (secretly) really sick of you sticking your arm out and saying “Hi! My name is New Friend. Nice to meet you!” in a voice that’s half an octave higher than your normal one. The first week of college has come and gone and so has your antiquated way of introducing yourself. It’s time to spice up your opening remarks and throw your chapstick at someone. No, that’s not some bizarre euphemism, I mean literally throw your chapstick at someone. That’s how I made my first friend at Lincoln Center, and we are still friends today.

[quote_center]I stumbled through trying to give him my name while also assuring him it was “no big deal” that I had just let a stranger use my chapstick without giving it a second thought.[/quote_center]

It was second semester of my freshman year and I was taking a class at Lincoln Center. I went to Rose Hill originally, but I already knew I wanted to transfer, so I hopped on the Ram Van in search of a more liberal classroom environment and, hopefully, some new friends. I sat down and looked around nervously, half-heartedly hoping someone would talk to me. I shuffled some stuff around in my backpack and overheard the guy next to me asking the girl on the other side of him for some chapstick. She pulled out a bright pink BabyLips. He grimaced a little and said, “Girl. You know that’s not my color.” Now’s my chance! I reached into my backpack and grabbed my mint colored EOS egg and haphazardly threw it to my left. Kyle, as I learned his name was, somehow caught it and smiled in my direction with a, “Thanks boo!” I stumbled through trying to give him my name while also assuring him it was “no big deal” that I had just let a stranger use my chapstick without giving it a second thought. He handed me back the egg and I relaxed; The ice had been broken.

Now I realize that this is a totally bizarre scenario and doing this would probably scare most people away. However, the moral of this story is what’s important. And no, it is not that pink BabyLips isn’t Kyle’s color – well, maybe that’s one of the morals. What you should actually take away from this silly anecdote is that sometimes you can make friends in the most unconventional ways. Sure, at the time it may be awkward, but those are the kind of scenarios that produce the best memories, stories and lasting friendships.

Do you have any quirky stories about how you met one of your friends? Let us know! Email us at [email protected] with your letter to the editor.