Wingwoman for hire

breete01 - February 3, 2010 at 2:08 PM

I want to say that I agree with last comment by Addrianne_Courtney. As someone who's shy and has a hard time in social situations having a wingwoman help get the conversation started is a tremendous help for me. In fact it's not deceiving a girl at all. Honestly, it's allowing me to show the girl the true me and who I really am because having the pivot/wingwoman there not only helps break the ice but boost my confidence. As someone who's looked into other ways of getting help, this is by far the best thing that's ever happened for me. There are a lot of really great guys out there who don't have girlfriends because they're too shy or don't know how to meet a girl in the right ways. I give props to Miss Pivot for helping change lives.

Adrianne_Courtney - September 25, 2009 at 8:40 AM

I don't see how this is "deceptive". These men aren't pretending to be someone else. What's wrong with being shy and needing a little help with that initial introduction? I had a girlfriend that was a wingwoman in NYC. She would simply go out with guys and when they would see someone they were interested in talking to, she would help get the conversation started. When he was comfortable, she would bow out. I don't think this requires a PhD in psychology, and who cares if any research has been done. Oftentimes the men she would help were new to the area, knew no one and were too shy to just walk up to people and start a conversation. Why is it such a big deal if someone wants to throw a twenty at meeting really wonderful people? I just don't agree that hiring a wingwomen is in any way deceptive. I don't know a single woman who would say, "Yeah this relationship is over. You deceived me into thinking you weren't a shy person. "

Drinky_McGee - September 24, 2009 at 6:21 PM

And before anyone else suggests that I attend the sales-pitch . . . I think I'd have a pretty hard time explaining that outing to my girlfriend. She accepts my undying love of ABBA, but I don't think she'd be too happy with this.

Drinky_McGee - September 24, 2009 at 6:11 PM

Why would you wholeheartedly endorse something when you have no idea about the specific method these people are selling, their ability to do so, or their background and experience? Do you have access to any of this information? Because I'd be fascinated to have some answers to a few basic questions. I would hope that anyone else would also want some details before tossing hard-earned shekels into the slough of despond. Did this guy do his "intense research" within the hallowed halls of a university or at his kitchen table? Have any of these astonishing breakthroughs in gender studies been published in a peer-reviewed journal? Or anywhere? Has anyone in academia done any independent research on the efficacy and consequences of these sorts of groups? What did these people do before they decided to join Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band? How much do they charge? I bet a very interesting story could be written by trying to answer these questions.

justin597 - September 24, 2009 at 5:35 PM

By the way, I'm not a Miss Pivot sales guy. I just believe in the concept of helping guys out with their social skills. At least 3/4 of the guys I've met through this stuff are real awesome guys. They're not looking to just get laid, believe it or not. They want something real with someone they're attracted to, but just don't know how to go about doing it. So, if someone has the skills and tools to give them, and they want to charge for their hard work in acquiring said tools, what's wrong with that?

justin597 - September 24, 2009 at 5:32 PM

for Joe and Jbuds, let me reiterate to check it out. As with anything that is worthwhile, this isn't a concept that was developed over night. Henceforth, the concept is not something that can be summed up quickly. There are literally hundreds of different theories and practices out there. Actually, I'm not a big fan of using this in the bar scene (although I would imagine a pivot is best suited for at least an area where there are large groups of people gathered). "The Game", as it has been most popularly referred to, teaches social skills that can be applied in coffee shops, malls, libraries, and pretty much anywhere you find people!

joeshearer - September 24, 2009 at 12:40 PM

It does seem an odd and even deceptive way of meeting someone. If it were focused at a particular person I'd even say stalkerish. But I guess the meat-market bar scene is built for that anyway. There's an expectation that some douche could approach you looking for love, so why not have a paid service that helps people? I dunno. It might be something worth trying if you're into that sort of thing. I think jbuds' assertion that this works best in the bar scene to be interesting. Does this have any other sort of application in a real-world setting? It seems designed for the bar scene. Are there other social situations where it would work? And exactly what does the "wingwoman" say to these ladies? Does she reveal that she's paid to do what she does? Somehow all of this reminds me of "Hung."

Luvtrap - September 24, 2009 at 9:42 AM

Please add my name to the launch party list unatratnag.

jbuds - September 24, 2009 at 8:46 AM

maybe i should start a company called the shot-o........you pay me $100 and i will feed you shots until you have the confidence to talk to someone. in all seriousness though, i think it is an innovative idea, but it really can only work in the bar scene.

Drinky_McGee - September 23, 2009 at 10:35 PM

I find it troubling that I seem to be the only person here who has picked up on the fact that self-help gurus selling big promises always turn out to be completely full of it.

justin597 - September 23, 2009 at 7:14 PM

There are people out there that need to pay someone to chew their food for them as well. Just because you and I don't have a problem chewing our food doesn't make the real fact that those people can't do it rediculous, or silly or sad. There may not be a value in it for you, but I assure you it's extremely valuable for many others. Check out the Pickup Artist on VH1, and you'll see that deception is not what is involved. It's about building confidence, and about saying something other than "Wow, you're hot!", "Do you come here often?", or any other cheesy lines to meet a girl. Guys, I wish you the best in your venture. I only wish I had thought of this myself! Kudos to you!

justin597 - September 23, 2009 at 7:13 PM

You guys shouldn't knock it until you've tried it. The event is free. McGee, maybe you're inept, maybe not. No one says a person has to pay to have social help, and maybe you don't need it. Being someone who is in the midst of getting his psychology degree, and knowing the psychologists I do know that are not hurting for business, obviously someone out there sees value there. When it comes to meeting women, I'm sure the pivots and guys running this can provide social proof as credentials. If they have success meeting women, and more importantly, have had success in helping other men meet women, what other credentials do they need? Let the individuals checking out the program decide if it's worth it and go from there.

MollyBread - September 23, 2009 at 3:42 PM

Looks cool - I want to bring bachelor friends to this launch. My coaching alone clearly has not been working!!

misspivot - September 23, 2009 at 2:31 PM

I started this company after doing intense research for years about psychology, social dynamics, and the gender gap. It has completely shifted my social life. So, I started teaching my friends and it started to transform their social lives, too. What has been interesting is women want this service more then men do. Girls have said - "More guys need to know this, I am tired of always getting the mini interview, boring" "I am bringing all my guy friends" Thanks everyone for the feedback and your questions. If you would like to go out with us for a night (for free) I would love to show you what we are up to.

Drinky_McGee - September 23, 2009 at 1:29 PM

Well, never. But it seems clear that perhaps some people do need that help. If someone is suffering from such extreme anxiety that they feel the need to pay someone to help them talk to people, I would modestly propose that their money might be better spent on a shrink. You know, someone who has actually gone to college and studied these things, instead of someone who saw Tom Cruise in Magnolia and got a bright idea.

nexis - September 23, 2009 at 1:18 PM

Gonna answer your question with a question.. when was the last time you needed a psychiatrist to get help getting a number from a girl?

Drinky_McGee - September 23, 2009 at 12:58 PM

Hey, if these folks can find enough desperate, vulnerable suckers to prey upon, bully for them. It's as American as P. T. Barnum. I have a question, though. Since I see suggestions here that this service alleviates psychological conditions like severe anxiety, can I assume that the people involved have some sort of psychiatric certification or training?

akingsbury - September 23, 2009 at 12:35 PM

Having been a professionally coached wingwoman-for-a-night (for a story I wrote several years ago), I can say there is something a little disconcerting about manipulating your own gender. Then again, it's not like men and women don't manipulate each other, anyway. Plus: The guy I was with scored two phone numbers that night from very nice women, and he was elated. I was really happy for him; it was, overall, a great experience.

nexis - September 23, 2009 at 11:45 AM

Eh, well, that's kinda the point of why businesses exist. I'm definitely going to the launch event, because I'm pullin' for these guys. There's an opportunity here to help some guys get over their fear and anxiety. Just sayin'.

Drinky_McGee - September 23, 2009 at 10:56 AM

The main goal of Miss Pivot is to make money. Let's not kid ourselves.

unatratnag - September 23, 2009 at 10:47 AM

@Drinky_McGee, sorry to hear that. The main goal of miss pivot is to get people over that anxiety. There's coaches that work with people on these issues and they're connected to people through Indy from those coaching people through divorces to those who just have general social anxiety to those who are nervous just to meet someone specifically at a bar. Sorry to hear about any rough background, but if you're free this Friday check the event out. It's free and aimed to be a singles mixer anyways, should be a great time, here's another angle that might help too: indy-biz.com/2009/09/22/miss-pivot-launch-party/

unatratnag - September 23, 2009 at 10:46 AM

@Drinky_McGee, sorry to hear that. The main goal of miss pivot is to get people over that anxiety. There's coaches that work with people on these issues and they're connected to people through Indy from those coaching people through divorces to those who just have general social anxiety to those who are nervous just to meet someone specifically at a bar. Sorry to hear about any rough background, but if you're free this Friday check the event out. It's free and aimed to be a singles mixer anyways, should be a great time, here's another angle that might help too: indy-biz.com/2009/09/22/miss-pivot-launch-party/

Drinky_McGee - September 23, 2009 at 10:20 AM

Mr. Nexis, you'd be hardpressed to find anyone more socially inept than I. Yet, somehow, that hasn't stopped an endless parade of women from messing with my life. I have sympathy for the socially challenged. They are my people. But these anxieties and various other mental hurdles are part of life. We become who we are by overcoming them, not by paying other people to overcome them for us. To me, paying someone to help you meet women is akin to paying someone to chew your food for you. I really think it's one of those things folks need to do for themselves, and that it will make them someone more worth meeting if they do.

nexis - September 23, 2009 at 10:12 AM

@Drinky_McGee Sad? Silly? I think what's sadder and sillier are guys, defeated by their anxiety and lack of confidence, sitting at home on a Saturday night surfing Facebook and Youtube wondering why they don't have a date or a girlfriend.

Drinky_McGee - September 23, 2009 at 10:03 AM

It doesn't seem deceptive to me, either. I just think it's sad and silly.

The_Indy_Kid - September 23, 2009 at 9:57 AM

It appears this isn't necessarily deceptive. I checked out their website. A good "pivot" could be totally upfront and still manage to break the ice and get a conversation going.

nexis - September 23, 2009 at 9:36 AM

I really don't see what's so creepy about having someone help me approach those I'm attracted to and get over that initial anxiety. That anxiety is paralyzing.

Drinky_McGee - September 23, 2009 at 8:52 AM

People who try too hard make me uncomfortable.

really - September 23, 2009 at 7:40 AM

Really? There are a ton of non deceptive ways to meet women. Super LAME.

really - September 23, 2009 at 7:37 AM

Really? Hey LOSERS - there are honest, non deceptive ways to meet women. CREEPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!