Wingmen

This is a nostalgia post. A buddy of mine from college sent this to me, and so I provide for your general consumption.

Wingman Helps Friend Score
Buddies use distraction to cultivate attraction
BY HANNAH MARIA HAYES Press & Sun-Bulletin

Brian Mason proudly bears the title of "wingman" and has no problem accepting the help of one.
"A wingman helps lessen your nerves and lets you be yourself," said the 23-year-old Endicott resident. "You learn about the concept as soon as you get indoctrinated into the bar scene."
Being a wingman requires a person to ride shotgun for the sake of love.
It works a little bit like this: Two friends are at a party when one sees a potential love interest across the room. Once introductions are made, the wingman does everything he can to keep the conversation going. That might mean throwing in a bit of witty banter or keeping the cute person's friends busy -- all so that the buddy can score a phone number.
"The worst thing you can do is give one-word answers and look like a deer caught in headlights," Mason said. "That's when the wingman will grab the stick and start driving. The wingman helps fill the voids in conversation. They can leverage questions off you and hopefully make you look good."
Techniques vary, however.
Binghamton resident Ed Chin, 24, said he used to play wingman all the time for his friends until they moved away. But his wingman method involved staying far away from the girl that his friend was interested in.
"I intentionally keep her out of the conversation," Chin said. "I'll talk to her friends like I'm their best friends. I'll ask about their interests, movies, bands, arts -- anything that will lead to a very long conversation."
Why invest all that energy? Because then the love interest is not only bored, but she's free to talk to other people.
"Perfect timing for my buddy to come and save her day -- and buy her a few drinks," Chin said, adding that the objective of the wingman is to assist, not to overbear.
Mason said it all depends on the night as to whether he'll be playing wingman or using a wingman -- especially since his buddy dresses similar and has the same taste in women.
"While helping you out, they might get the hookup," he said. "A true wingman will never hurt you, but you can't help it if the girl is attracted to your buddy."
Being a good wingman also means that you might have to keep the possibly not-so-attractive friend busy, so that your friend can work their mojo uninterrupted.
"Sometimes you have to 'take one for the team,'" Mason said. "My friend did it for me three weekends ago. He said, 'If you need me, I'll do it,' and he did."
Some guys can find they're a hot commodity once they have a girlfriend or wife.
Paul Reiter said that since he met his fiancee three years ago, he's become an ace wingman.
"Now I will even talk to the hottest women without being scared, since I'm there just to shoot the wind until my friend comes in with a coy remark," said Reiter, who's 27 and lives in Philadelphia.
Not that every wingman always plays it smoothly.
John Penwarden's roommate used to play wingman for him during their senior year in college. One night, Penwarden, now 36, started flirting with a woman who seemed to show great interest.
"But alas, she went home with my roommate since I passed out on the way back from the restroom," Penwarden said.
"Keep your eye open and be aware if there is any chemistry between your wingperson and the person that you are interested in," Penwarden said. "For me the signs were there, but I dropped the ball."
Steve Dybsky, a 25-year-old Chicagoan, also discovered three years ago that having a wingman can sometimes backfire.
He was a senior at Villanova University, and his roommate was playing the role of wingman when they met two cheerleaders for the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team.
"We were going out of our way to make myself seem like a fun guy -- and things were going well," Dybsky said. Then his roommate, who'd gotten a little too drunk, abruptly threw up all over the table.
"I thought he ruined my chances," said Dybsky. But as it turns out, he still got the phone number he was after -- and a few dates with one of the cheerleaders.
Wingman's mission accomplished.

"Get out of there, Hollywood, get out of there god-dammit!" - Dub-B