If you don’t have a trusted wingman or wingwoman, we suggest you get searching. Seriously. Put an ad out if you have to.
Why? They’re your go-tos in everything from double dates to shameless evenings on the town after a break-up. Or as your ‘plus one’ at that work function or charity event. They’re the ones you call when you score two tickets to a concert.
But they’ve got to get it right. Here’s how:
1. Get off your phone.
A wingman or woman who’s on their phone the whole time is as good as useless, no matter how witty their tweets may be or how creative their Instagram posts. Seriously, you may as well be there alone.
2. Know the codes.
A good wingman understands even the most subtle of codes. This means everything from that nudge to introduce themselves when you forget someone’s name to that knowing exchange of eye contact when you think that stranger is a total babe (and that you claim dibs).
3. Don’t bail early.
Don’t bail after an hour to meet a booty call or because your shoes or contact lenses are annoying you. When a friend recently left us alone at a concert because his sunburn hurt, we spent the rest of the show thinking of everyone else we could have used the extra ticket on who doesn’t cry over burnt skin.
4. Don’t get sloppy.
Don’t get wasted unless your fellow partner in crime wants you to (as in, it’s their bachelor or bachelorette party, not a work funciton). Not only does a passed-out friend mean we’ll be eating street meat alone, it’s embarrassing for both of us.
5. Don’t ditch for your own agenda.
Don’t throw your networking needs in front of your friend’s when it comes to making business contacts, especially when it’s a work event they invited you to. Also, no matter how intriguing, don’t hit on someone all night and ignore your friend. Get their info and save the banter for another time.
6. Hold your own.
A good wing person knows how to maintain eye contact, a conversation, and the interest of others in their own right. If you get stuck talking to a client, he or she can charm your boss over a cocktail. In short, you don’t have to babysit them. And they’re not boring.
7. Chat with the unattractive friend.
A good wing person will chat with the unattractive friend while you’re trying to move in on that hot one you’ve been eyeing all night. They know that the hot one will be theirs next time (well, maybe).
8. Have your friend’s back.
A good wingman or wingwoman wants the best for you. That’s why they will let you know if you have something in your teeth, have pit stains, if they see your ex, or if you’re getting a little too carried away with the Grey Goose.
9. Know that they’ve got yours.
If you do your job right, you know who to call when that hot Tinder find you barely know tells you to bring a friend along to a party, when you don’t want to be stuck alone with coworkers at that event, or even when you’re overworked and in need of a weekend road trip. They’ve got you.
#NOTABLE
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