Avoiding the tears: Yes thats right folks were talking about onions!!!

WaterWash an onion after the first cut.
Cut under cold running water.

Hot n' ColdHeat the onions before chopping.
Peel and then chill the onions in the refrigerator (1 hour) or freezer (15 minutes) before chopping.

AirCut an onion on a breezy porch or with a fan blowing away from your face.
Turn your head away while chopping (watch those fingers!!).
Breath with your mouth open exhaling through your nose.

Romantic
Light a candle near the chopping block.

TechniqueCut along the vein not across it.
Cut with a very sharp knife.
Cut near the bottom of the onion last. Where the root is

Look weird
Wear large glasses or goggles.
Hold a lemon, piece of bread or a sugar cube in your mouth, the food will absorb the gas before it reaches your eyes.

What ever works for.. personally it's all a bunch of hooey... For goodness sakes alive just buy a food processor if its that bad...he he hee.. i have been cooking professional for a while now. And i still sometimes cry..What helps you from crying?