I know this technically isn't a "game," but they're things you can do alone to pass the time, so I guess they fit as well under this heading as anything. And if you really want to keep score, you can.

A number of years ago, I realized that I didn't really get the purity of feeling that I used to from making others laugh. I soon came to the conclusion that the only reaction I really liked getting from other people was utter befuddlement. It's more for my own amusement than anyone else's, which is why these things are best done when you're not with someone else whom you may end up embarrassing.

Anyway, go do these and enjoy.

1. Go to a fast food restaurant and order something that isn't on the menu.
This works best if you actually go in the restaurant and it's not terribly crowded. Order the wrong thing at the drive-thru and you may just get something you don't want. Do this when there's a crowd and you'll surely get yelled at. Anyway, here's how it goes. Go up to the counter, looking intently at the menu. Rub your chin if you want -- just look like you're really working hard on making a decision from the menu. While still looking up there, order something that could plausibly be an item the restaurant sells. For instance, at McDonald's you could order a "McBarbecue Combo." Or just make it something generic like a "chicken and almond salad." If things work, the order taker will search on the keyboard of their register, desperately looking for what you just ordered. If you're really lucky, they'll call their manager over and then the manager will try to find it. If it gets to the point where you actually have to tell them it's not actually on their menu, you've accomplished something.

2. Wave at people.
I actually used to do this in high school as a hobby. (I was very lonely.) Essentially what you do is you go stand on a sidewalk out next to a fairly busy road where people pass by at a decent rate of speed and wave at every driver who passes by. Essentially there are three reactions to you doing this. The first is you're ignored. The second is the person waves back as a courtesy. And the third is the one you really want to see. That's when the driver actually thinks for a split second that you're someone they know. They excitedly raise their hand up to wave when they get a good look at you, realize they have no idea who you are and coyly put their hand back down, baffled as to why you would do this to them. It's beautiful.

3. Strike up a conversation.
This works kind of the same way as the waving thing. Essentially what you do is walk up to a total stranger and start talking to them. But not in a "Hi, my name is..." sort of way. Rather pretend you know them. Say, "Hi! How are you? How's Steve?" or something like that. Ask about someone with a really common name like "John" or "Jennifer." Worst case, the person will say, "I think you mistook me for someone else," which is pretty fun. Best case, the person will momentarily think about answering your question (if they know a person with that name, which they likely do) before they realize they've never seen you before.

4. Ask the sales guy a question. Repeat.
This works at just about anywhere that there are sales people that hound you -- car dealerships, electronics stores, clothing stores, etc. Essentially what you do is you turn the tables on them. Ask the sales guy/girl questions until they leave. Ask about every single detail of the product. Ask about their warranty. Then ask about it again. And again. And again. Ask about extra charges, how long you can expect it to last, where it was assembled, if you can call the factory. Ask them questions you know they can't answer. Then ask about their warranty again. It's basically a game of chicken -- try to last longer than they do.

5. Drive around, laughing hysterically.
I don't really think this requires all that much explanation. This works best on the interstate when you're driving right next to or behind someone, or when you're stopped at a stoplight. Laugh continuously and so ridiculously that it's obvious that you're not just amused by something on the radio. Point at the other drivers while you laugh if that helps. Anyway, just try your damndest to freak people out.

6. Walk into a bathroom and just...stand there.
Seriously there are very few things that just weird people out more than this. You're not actually using the bathroom, you're not washing your hands. You don't work there. Why are you there? Are you looking at me? Why is that guy looking at me? Why won't he leave? Ahhh!

You get the idea.

If you have any more ideas of what might make good ways to confuse strangers in public, leave a comment or let us know on the message board.

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