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Playing pranks on people is a great way to have a bit of fun at school, work, college - heck just about anywhere. Pranks are not, however, without their risks; and I'm not just talking about the risk that someone will decide to prank you for revenge. Before playing a prank, you've got to recognise that not everyone will share your sense of humour, and that a prank that you find hilarious can sometimes offend, insult, and upset others.

Before playing a prank on someone try and see the results from their point of view. Perhaps you think it's funny to steal someone's favourite pen and put up ransom notes for it around the office, but for all you know that pen could have been left to them by a much loved deceased relative and might have real emotional significance. Needless to say they may not see the funny side of the prank, and may be genuinely upset by what you thought were harmless antics.

Disclaimers about the proper use of pranks aside, here are a few of my favourite ones from my days at university.

1: When Cress Attacks.
Wait until term has ended and everyone is going home and then sneak into a friends dorm room after they've left. Then toss cress seeds about, under the bed, in the bed, on the carpets, and give them a lot of water. When after the vacation the friend comes back to their dorm room watch the expression on their face when they walk into a room carpeted on every surface by a green sea of cress.

2: Door Jam.
When a friend is asleep pour water on their dorm room door and door frame. By the time they wake up chances are that the door will have swollen shut into the frame and they won't be able to get out of their room. Cue much laughter as they desperately try to open their door.

3: Owned.
Anyone who passes out at a party should get put into their sleeping bag, along with the contents of a canister of shaving foam. Just for kicks you can always draw moustaches on their face with permanent marker pens and shave their eyebrows.

4. Owned. Mk. 2
The old hand in the glass of warm water, haha, you've wet yourself trick. Make sure that they are a good friend before thinking of trying this one, as the embarrassment from everyone knowing that they wet themselves may well result in them violent vengeance.

5: Foaming cupboard.
This one can be dangerous and is not recommended.
Put a canister or two of shaving foam in the freezer for several hours. After a while take it out and cut and peel off the metal layer. You've now got a solid block of foam. Put it in someone's cupboard and close the door. When it thaws out it'll expand massively and completely fill the cupboard with foam. See how surprised your friend will be when they go to get something from the cupboard and are engulfed in a wave foam.

Learn more about this author, Nicholas Cockayne.
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