Dude, you're in the way.

"Yea, he's a cool guy...but sometimes he just doesn't get it."

Do you suffer from annoying little brother syndrome? Are you the type of person that always kills the mood (the sexual atmosphere established by the two other people in the room)? Sometimes a great friend can be a huge thorn in Cupid's side because they possess the innate ability to goal-tend every attempt at scoring. Here's some clues to find out where you fit in love's triangle:

1. You're in the middle and no one is talking. YO! Buy a vowel buddy 'cuz you ain't just in the middle...you're in the way. That feeling of an invisible wall blocking communication is your presence clogging the romantic pipeline of the two people at your sides. There's only space for a small circle, and you're the square that just doesn't fit. Do everyone a favor - take the hint and go to the bathroom.
2. You walk into silence. I'm not talking about walking into a quiet room. I'm talking about when you walk into "the" silence. If you get that same feeling as when daddy hits mommy at the dinner table then tells everyone to keep eating, quietly excuse yourself from the room.
3. You hear'em but can't see'em. This is no time to start a search for Carmen Sandiego. The last time you played sleuth, you found mommy and daddy wrestling under the covers. Save yourself another trauma. Leave the lights off and mind your own business.
4. You're speaking negatively about your friend. Every time you say something bad about your friend, know that you are blocking lanes in their romantic superhighway. And, speaking poorly of people you call friends does not make you look like the "good one." So, stop peeing in the pool with your negativism. You not winning doesn't give you the right to make everyone lose.
5. You're tired of mindless followers and the emptiness of their zombie-ish superficial conformist lives. No one likes a Debbie Downer, and tag...you're it. Everyone has problems, so that's why we like to get together to laugh and have fun. Check your emotional baggage at the door and join in on the laughs. Never come to a party stinking of depression.

Don't be a third wheel. Sometimes three's company, but remember that Jack Tripper didn't get much romance in the apartment. Learn to see the signs of when you're winning the race, as well as when it's time for you to take a detour.

Anyone have any great stories involving "third wheels?"