9 Things All Great Wingwomen Do

Every single lady needs a good wingwoman! Here are some tips to being the most supportive friend you can be at the next party or social event:

1) Stick to the Battleplan – Knowing your friend’s and your own expectations for the night is a must. Where will you be going? How long will you be staying? Is your friend looking for a date or a hook-up? What qualities does your friend find most attractive? Know the answers to all these questions and more before stepping out. Communication before and during the event will make the night run smoothly.

2) Have verbal or physical cues – This is important for communicating when it’s not socially acceptable to come out and say, “This conversation is lame, let’s leave.” A tilt of the head and a meaningful look can say, ‘I’m into this one!’ and a delicate cough can mean, ‘Check your bra strap.’ Plus, having special catchphrases and gestures will make you feel like a secret agent.

3) Have an Exit Strategy– Your friend gets a little tipsier than she planned and ends up cornered by creepy dude.  Even if she seems to be having a good time, if you don’t trust the situation, go with your gut and get the two of you out of there safely! Your friend may not appreciate it tonight, but she’ll thank you later.

4) It’s about your friend, not you – Do not overpower your friend’s personality. You are meant to test the waters and be her complement in conversation, so if you find yourself talking over her or introducing her in a lackluster way—check yourself, girl.

5) If at first you don’t succeed, try again – Don’t be discouraged if your first target seems disinterested. There are plenty of candidates to talk to who are worthy and receptive to your wingwoman charms!

6) Be aware of your body language – You could be stealing the show without even knowing it! Even if you do everything right—subtly talk up your friend’s great qualities, introduce your friend with pizazz and laugh at your friend’s jokes—all your altruistic work could end up backfiring if the target ends up interested in you. Curb habits like excessive touching when you speak and be aware of how close you are to the target vs. your friend.

7) Tag team it – Are you on the lookout for a significant other as well as your friend? Have designated nights where you swap roles! You can also go with a group and rotate roles depending on who is interested in whom. No one gets left out and everyone’s happy.

8) Differences in taste – Just a suggestion, not a necessity. If you and your friend generally find the same qualities or looks attractive, things might get competitive or end up with one of you resentful or jealous. A pilot should try to match up with a wingwoman who complements her, not a friend with identical tastes.

9) Enjoy yourself! – Being a wingwoman should be fun. Successfully matching your friend with their dream-date feels so rewarding! And if you do find yourself in a bad mood, fake it ‘til you make it. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, so they say.

• Cal Poly love