Let's be honest. If you do not have a valentine by this time, it is too late. The chances of finding love before Valentine's Day are slim to none. Redirect your goals to find a good wingman, a sure ticket for love next year.
Every single needs a wingman—a gender-neutral term for a friend who facilitates action on the singles scene.
"To me, a wingman is someone who accompanies you on a 'mission' of sorts," a Ketchum female stated.
"A wingman is your dear friend who will put her 'search' on hold for the evening. Her job for the night is to help you, at any length, to succeed in taking home your ideal man," an experienced wingman from Washington explained.
Dear friends abound, but reliable and effective wingmen do not. Finding the right wingman should take a degree of consideration.
"It's best if they are attractive, but not as attractive as you are," a local woman said.
Others interviewed agreed a wingman's success hinges on appearance.
"Someone who is friendly, reputable, and funny, but not too funny, not too good looking and not too engaging as to distract from them main event," a Californian added.
"One thing the wingman must never do is draw attention away from the said friend," a Washington wingman said.
In addition to appearance, a wingman's ability to communicate should also take precedence.
"Wingmen endure boring conversations with the 'targets' friends. This may entail listening to the 'brutal' friend talk about what a good skier or athlete they are," a Ketchum resident said. "They also facilitate conversations with the target male or female without flirting. They talk about how cool you are, cool things you have done and how much they love hanging with you."
The personality characteristics limit potential possibilities, while a collection of other considerations narrow the field.
"I think it's 'take one for the team' mentality that makes a great wingman," commented one source.
The team mentality comes with an understanding that one day you plan to return the favor.
"Wingmen and wingwomen, alike, have one thing in common. They are doing their buddies a favor in hopes that that favor will be returned someday. It's all about give and take. No one sets out to be a 'career wingman.' There is just no incentive," explained a Californian.
When a wingman is needed, it is important the person takes her duties seriously.
"Wingmen go out even if they would rather be chilling at home," a Ketchum woman remarked.
"They are willing to do the craziest thing at the craziest time," a former valley resident added.
Wingmen must clearly understand their role, which leads to the most important quality.
A wingman must know when to disappear.
Friends abound, but good wingmen do not. Choose a wingman carefully for a success Valentine's Day.
