This rule is crucial. "You're always judged by the company you keep," Fischbarg says. "Girls think guys are like their friends." Your wingman shouldn't say anything about sex or ex-girlfriends. "He can't check out her rack or look at other girls," Fischbarg adds. "He should not be negative or put people down." He should also not put down too many brewskis. "No girls like talking to drunk guys," Fischbarg says. "The friend will tell your girl your wingman was drunk and it will make you look bad."

A friend is supposed to talk about how great you are -- after all, that's why he's your friend. "Your wingman can say, 'He's a nice guy,' or, 'You don't realize who you're talking to, he did this or that, but he doesn't like to brag about it,'" Fischbarg explains. A cardinal rule: The wingman should never put you down, even as a joke. "Some guys think it's funny to joke about each other in front of girls," Fischbarg says, "but it's a bad idea." The girls you just met might not want to take a chance he's not kidding about your venereal disease.

If the wing-girl is unhappy, a good wingman will know how to defuse her bad mood. "He can say, 'You don't look too happy that my friend's talking to your friend,'" Fischbarg says. "She'll never admit it." Chances are, she'll lighten up and let her friend have fun.

Even if your wingman is more handsome or a smoother talker, it should not be an issue. "He has to make it clear that he's not interested in your girl," Fischbarg says. "The only option is you." The wingman makes this clear by not talking to your girl, except briefly. "This is not a dinner conversation between the four of you," Fischbarg says. "It's two pairs."

"Girls [use codes] all the time," Fischbarg says. "They're the ones who usually break off conversation, and they'll touch their purse or use the cell phone." You need a code to communicate when you no longer need your wingman's help. It can be simply saying, "Do you want another drink?" He knows his job is done and he can look for new prospects.

Your wingman should analyze your performance. "He should bring up anything he thought hurt or helped your rap," Fischbarg says. And if he hurt your rap, let him know. "You gotta say, 'Why'd you tell them I lived at home till I was 25?'" Fischbarg says. "He won't do that to you again."

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