This started out as a joke. One arm planted on the wall of Yost house, hips cocked and lower body thrown outward. The rest of the crew saw what happened and followed suit. “Putting out the Vibe” became a thing. Any trip off campus wasn’t complete without a picture of someone putting out the Vibe at an obscure location. 'Putting out the vibe' was a way to get everyone on the same page while we were out. We need to reset? Put out the vibe and throw Hall & Oats on the aux cord.

Then something happened. It became more than just a poor impersonation of Jim Carrey in "Dumb and Dumber." Putting out the vibe turned into putting out the right vibe. Different times and locations called for different strategies. Don’t bring your Thursday night Leroy’s vibe to Spoon on a Saturday unless you want to have a bad time. The key thing with this is everyone is different. As a great man once said, “Don’t ever play yourself.”

Whatever works best for me won’t necessarily apply to you reading this. It’s important to be aware of yourself and the vibes you’re putting out. You can have a great fishing pole, but if your bait is garbage you aren’t going to catch anything worth mounting on the wall and showing off to your grandkids in forty years.

The bar

Location and the important factor here. You want to play politician and shake hands with everyone? Stand by the bar with one drink in your hand talking to every acquaintance that walks by. Want more camaraderie? I like a circle table with your closest friends. I get nostalgic when I drink, so prefer this if you want to swap embellished stories all night. Most underrated spot, back porch. Springtime in the Woo is the best, especially when that back porch of Leroy’s starts opening back up. Beer and food taste better outside, that’s just science, so a porch just makes everything going on feel that much better.

Another key ingredient here is what drinks in your hand. I started something recently that has stuck with me which is drinking the pitcher of Yuengling without pouring it into a cup. Little psychotic yes, but it lets me dole out portions of crispy lager to my friends when I feel generous, and I don’t like drinking out of red solo cups at a bar. Whatever your go-to is just own it. If you do decide to branch out and get questioned about it, shrug it off and say you’re broadening your horizons, people love to hear that.

Walking to class

I like to always look like I’m either coming from or on my way to a meeting. Business casual all day. That’s evolved though. I use to rock sweatpants with a nice button down. The old business up top depression on the bottom look. Also I usually have a coffee with me. Big fan of the sustainable mugs even though I have lost every single I have bought. Having some sort of drink helps you stay awake in class, again that’s just science, so I recommend something.

I also love saying hello to anyone I have ever met ever if I’m out and about. Two finger waves like I passing you on the golf course is my go-to. If you’re not into this, throw some headphones in. That’s the tide and true method in avoiding human contact. They don’t even need to be plugged into anything. Just in or on your ears and the world no longer comes knocking on your door.

Breakfast

This section is reserved for two spots and two spots only. The Bob Evans off of route 30 and the almighty Farmer Boy. I’m going total comfort on both of these. Most likely even a flannel to put out those small town USA vibes. Only drinking coffee and probably ordering something with eggs. My go to wild card item here: newspaper. Lightly perusing it while keeping the conversation going with the rest of the table. This is telling the locals you’re well acquainted with happenings of Wayne County and it tells the girl from last night you’re smart and like to read.

Golf course

Irrational confidence is a beautiful thing. Embrace it and you will go far in life. Golf is the perfecting testing ground for this. What better way than the most frustrating game known to man. Putting out the right vibes is all about confidently rising above the frustration that comes with missing putts and slicing drives. If you’re a scratch golfer, then keep on playing playa. If you want to drink on the links, practice moderation. Nothing is worse than a sloppily inebriated member of your foursome.

Wherever life takes you just know that the vibes are strong and powerful. As you move on from Wooster and find yourself in strange new places, find that sweet spot wherever it may be and own it.