Top 10 April Fool's work pranks

Does April Fools' Day (or the mere thought of it) strike fear in your heart? Do memories of walking into your aluminum foil-covered office still haunt you at the end of every March?
Or, do you spend 364 days of the year plotting the mother of all pranks against your co-workers?
Whichever side you fall on, 32 percent of workers say they have either initiated or been on the receiving end of an April Fools' Day prank at work, according to CareerBuilder.com's annual April Fools' Day survey.
"Pranking at work can be risky business," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.com.
"When determining whether a prank is a good idea on April Fools' Day, employees should consider the worst case scenario of their joke. Will his or her joke simply result in a laugh from fellow co-workers? Or could anybody, including you, lose their job?"
While faking a resignation, gluing office supplies to the desk and covering someone's cube in aluminum foil are among the most common office pranks, here are 10 of the most memorable pranks from this year's survey:

1. Placed a pair of pants and shoes inside the only toilet stall in a men's room to make it appear someone was using the stall. It sat there for hours until someone called security to check if the person had died.
2. Sent a fake love note to a co-worker from another co-worker.
3. All the women in office individually spoke to the president, confiding that she is pregnant. By noon, he 'knew' that all of his female workers were pregnant and he could not tell anyone because each asked for confidentially.
4. Called the electric company, used a co-worker's name and told them he was moving so the electricity got turned off at the co-worker's house.
5. Filled the vending soda machine with cans of beer.
6. Rigged the boss' chair to drop suddenly during a staff meeting.
7. Placed a sign on the restroom door that read, "The company ran out of toilet tissue; please use your own resources."
8. Paged a co-worker over the loud speaker claiming the CEO was looking for him. The worker went into the CEOs office and the CEO didn't know who he was or why he was there.
9. Shrink-wrapped everything in a co-worker's cubicle.
10. Put a 'house for sale' ad in the newspaper regarding a co-worker's home.

Experts shed light on origins of April Fools' Day

Washington, Mar 30 (ANI): For an average person, April Fools' Day might be a date to play pranks, but for some experts the day has more to it than just the fun element.

April Fools' Day is believed to be several hundred years old. However, experts say that its origins are still shrouded in mystery.

According to the most popular theory, France changed its calendar in the 1500s so that the New Year would begin in January to match the Roman calendar instead of the start of spring in late March or early April.

However word of the change traveled slowly, and many people in rural areas continued to celebrate the New Year in the spring.

These country dwellers became known as 'April fools'.

Alex Boese, curator of the Museum of Hoaxes in San Diego, Californiaoese, who has studied the holiday's origin, however, disagrees with this interpretation.

"[The French] theory is completely wrong, because the day that the French celebrated the beginning of the year legally was Easter day, so it never really was associated with April first," National Geographic quoted him, as saying.

"Traditionally it was only a legal start to the year-people in France did actually celebrate [the New Year] on January first for as long as anybody could remember," he added.

Instead, Boese believes that April Fools' Day simply grew out of age-old European spring festivals of renewal, in which pranks and camouflaging one's identity are common.

Joseph Boskin, professor emeritus of American humor at Boston University, has offered his own interpretation of the holiday's roots -as a prank.

In 1983, Boskin said that the April Fools' Day idea came from Roman jesters during the time of Constantine I in the third and fourth centuries A.D. As the story goes, jesters successfully petitioned the ruler to allow one of their elected members to be king for a day.

So, on April first, Constantine handed over the reins of the Roman Empire for one day to King Kugel, his jester. Kugel decreed that the day forever would be a day of absurdity. Incidentally, Kugel is an Eastern European dish that one of Boskin's friends had been craving. (ANI)

Go.. Get a Red Valentine !!

You have finally fallen in love. There are just two little problems - you have no idea whether the person in question reciprocates your feelings and you don't know how to make him/her do so, either. Make it Happen is a mantra that will help you cross these hurdles.

Tips for Women in Love

Attire

Dress for the occasion. Find a balance between dressing too casual that will make it seem as if you are disinterested in the date, and too provocative that will make it seem as if you are trying too hard.

Make up

Looking good is one of the first steps to attracting anyone's attention. But, it is highly recommended that cosmetic beauty be reserved for occasions like a party or an exclusive restaurant. On a normal day, excessive make up is a complete no-no.

Be Independent

It is but natural to get carried away when men are at their chivalrous best. It never hurts though, to offer to pay for the coffee once in a while. Men respect women who are independent and have a mind of their own.

Body Language

Body language is the most essential part of getting someone thinking about you. An occasional glance, a smile and a friendly demeanour, in general, will give him the confidence to approach you.

Intelligent Conversations

Outward beauty may attract a man for the moment, but it takes more than that to sustain his attention. Most men appreciate a woman with whom they can relate to and with whom they can share a lively conversation. So, an interest in current affairs and topics other than the usual girls' favourites will get you a long way.

Appreciation

People have a tendency to feel insecure if their efforts go unappreciated over time. So, if you notice that the guy in question has missed his usual football game on TV just to meet you or has taken care of you while you were ill, make sure you let him know that you appreciate his efforts with a gift or a timely thank you.

Beyond Looks

Looking beyond a person's physical appearance is a sure way of knowing that you will never miss out on what could have been a wonderful relationship but was lost just because of personal prejudices.

Tips for Men in Love

Assertive vs. Aggressive

There is a thin line between being assertive and being aggressive. Women prefer confident, assertive men versus bullies with an intimidating attitude. Politeness, respect for others and dealing with panache in heated situations are traits that a woman notices in a man.

Modesty

You might own a Ferrari or wear a Rolex but if you cannot stop bragging about them or about your achievements in every conversation, maybe then its time to adjust the attitude a little.

Research vs. Stalking

There is a difference between doing some research about the girl you are in love with and stalking her. It is always good to know something about the girl, like her family background or her hobbies but what needs to be sternly avoided is stalking her by following her around everywhere, giving her blank calls or calling her repeatedly. It is important to give the other person enough personal space to bring in the comfort factor.

Right Moves

The woman in question could be the most beautiful creature one has ever set eyes on, yet it would be considered extremely rude to stare at her. Be a perfect gentleman and avoid staring at her bare shoulders or low neckline. Watch out for her behaviour. If you do not sense the vibes you expect to receive, it is better not to push it. Patience pays.

Appearance

One of the biggest turn offs is body odour. A fresh and neat look not only makes you feel good but also tells a lady that you value the time you spend with her and have taken the effort to be at your best.

Chivalry

Chivalry may sound conservative but it never goes out of style. Women still love men who don't feel shy to show them some old fashioned chivalry like opening the door for them or pulling out a chair for them. Here are a few pointers to get you a head start;

• Be punctual if you have offered to meet her somewhere or are picking her up
• Ask her if she minds before you light up your cigarette
• Open the door for her; be it the car or the restaurant
• Allow her first, whether you're getting into a seating row at a theatre or when you are in a queue
• Lead the way while crossing the road
• Pull out the chair for her at the table
• Sit only after the lady has taken her seat and rise when she does so
• Make the move to pay the bill, but if she insists, back off
• Remember important days like anniversaries and birthdays

Follow these pointers and one never knows, it might lead you to the beginning of a great relationship.