Dating tips: The 7 rules of winging

If you're a sociable guy who enjoys meeting women, it's absolutely crucial that you get yourself a wingman. A wingman is a friend you take with you to bars, clubs, bookstores or whatever social gathering you go to in order to meet prospective dates.

When two guys go out with the express purpose of 'picking up' women, one will assume the role of the 'player' while the other takes on the role of the 'wingman'. The wingman's primary job is to help the player get the girl (that's Rule #2, by the way). Of course, the guys may take turns: I'll be your wingman now, you can be mine tomorrow.

There are loads of benefits to having a wingman. The main one being that you now have someone to share your adventures with; there's no bonding experience that quite equals this.

Women judge you by how sociable you are; walking into the bar alone doesn't make as good an impression as walking in with a cool friend who you're having a great time with.

If the 'target' is with a friend, she might be reluctant to leave her alone but might be more willing if your wing is keeping the friend occupied.

Also, if you do something wrong, you might not notice it without your wingman's help. These are just a handful of the benefits that you enjoy if you have a wing. As you develop your own style and strategy, you'll find new uses for your wing.

Because the dating game is intense. In the middle of the game, you or your wingman might do something wrong which could completely ruin the evening. You need to know what to avoid doing before you embark on your adventure.

1. He who starts talking to the girls, chooses the target. Women rarely go out alone. In a group, there should ideally be more than one target that you and your wing can 'divide' between yourselves. However, if both of you want -- and try to pursue -- the same girl, you might end up spoiling the entire game and neither of you will get the girl. The player chooses the target and starts the conversation.

2. The wing's job is to help the player. If the group contains more than one target and the wing is able to pick a target for himself, excellent. But if that isn't the case, then the wingman must concentrate on getting the player his girl. This could vary from telling stories about the player that elevates his status (when the player does this, it's bragging and needy. When the wing does it, it isn't).

3. The wing must distract any obstacle in the way. The obstacle is usually in the form of a friend (or group of friends) that the target has with her at the social gathering -- attractive women are rarely alone. This is one of the wing's primary duties and is therefore raised to the level of a rule. If the target is with a friend, she may be reluctant to leave with the player for fear that her friend will feel lonely and ditched. But if the charming wing is there to keep the friend busy and entertained, the target will be a lot more willing. This also gives the player more one-on-one time with the target since he doesn't have to talk to both the target and the friend.

4. Don't ever steal the girl. A situation may come up in which the player must temporarily ignore the target -- in order to charm her friends, in order to play hard to get etc. In such a situation it's very easy for the wing to swoop in and steal the target, thus sabotaging the player. Don't ever do this -- it might end up ruining your friendship and the unwritten pact the two of you have.

5. Never take the girl's side over the wing's. If the wing and the girl disagree on something that comes up during the conversation, you will ALWAYS agree with your wing. If you don't, your wing is left alone, looking like a complete idiot. This does not reflect well on you: the girls will be left wondering why you're hanging out with him in the first place.

6. Your wing is a very cool guy. Remember that women judge you by the friends you hang out with. If you hang out with fun, smart, cool people, it makes you all of those things by extension. So you must always portray -- and treat -- your wing as all of those things. If you don't and make disparaging remarks or tell embarrassing stories about him, you're damaging yourself as well.

7. Your wing is far more important to you than the girl. Remember that there are thousands of attractive women in your city but only a handful of guys you can really trust enough to be your wingman. Don't do anything to offend him. If he approaches, turn and face him. Don't just let him float around like a fool. Introduce him. If there is a situation in which you have to choose between your wing and the women -- pick the wing.

Remember: your wingman is a brother. He's an extension of yourself. When women shoot you down, he's the one who'll be there to pep talk you into trying again. Treat him well and the women will happen. Have fun!