by dreamweaver on Sun Jul 25, 2010 6:32 pm
One thing that I fall back on when I hit a wall and don't have a good transition is to ask the set how they know each other. This is not a great emotional spiking method and does create attraction but it keeps you going and gives you more information that you can feed on.
Depending on the answer, you can then banter and cold read them. Make fun of one of them for being the bad one, try to figure out which one would win in a fight, do the best friends test, disqualify one of them saying you guys would never get along, role play with one of them. This is what I would do in a two set of girls, a mixed two set I would not do this as it would be too flirty and I would try to be more neutral.
In this scenario, that would have also helped you to identify the guy was just an orbitor.
I also believe more in giving value vs. negging. Instead of trying to bring her value down, I would try to give them value by telling them that they are cool, seem fun, etc. Especially giving value to the guy in a mixed set - you seem cool bro, you roll with good looking women, etc. This will disarm him which will be helpful regardless of their relationship.