Being the third wheel can be tough, but someone’s gotta do it.

I mean, everybody knows the best things come in threes. Tricycles. The Hanson brothers. French hens. Third wheels make a couple infinitely better.

Here’s a bunch of things you’ll know if you’re the perpetual third wheel.

#1 You’re Great At Inviting Yourself To Things

The third wheel’s best quality is their ability to invite themselves along. Your couple mates are seeing a film you want to see? You ask them if you can come. Your couple mates are checking out a restaurant you want to check out? Damn straight you’re going. Your couple mates are going on holiday? Maybe you’ll plan a corresponding trip yourself.

The third wheel doesn’t feel guilty about tagging along to things if they want to go. The best part about it? They get to choose what they will and won’t attend. People in relationships have to go to everything. Third wheels get to make their own choices.

#2 You Make A Million #ForeverSingle Jokes

When the third wheel is hanging out with a couple, it’s almost a prerequisite to tell a million #ForeverSingle jokes.

Every time they hug? “UGH, FOREVER SINGLE, AMIRITE??” Every time they talk about a family event they attended? “YEP, FOR-EV-ER SIN-GLE!!” When they make a snide comment about the size of the burrito you ordered? “YES I KNOW, GOING TO BE ALONE FOREVER, LOL!!!”

#3 You Have No Concept Of Awkwardness

Even when your couple friends are being super lovey-dovey, you know how to deal. Who cares if they want to be cute towards each other, you’re not going to squirm. You’re staking your flag. You have a right to be here and you will not be scared out by the PDA.

#4 But When It’s Time To Leave, It’s Time To Leave

While you do stand firm in not being shooed away by OTT smoochiness, even you have a limit. Once your couple friends make out too much, or get into a seriously intense argument, it is G-T-G time. Make your exit swiftly and smoothly.

#5 You’re Probably Close With Only One Half Of The Couple

One half of the couple is your best friend and the other half is basically a very familiar acquaintance. When you hang out with the couple together, it’s totally fine, but when your good friend goes to the bathroom, it’s time to enter the panic zone.

Finding conversation topics with the half of the couple you don’t know very well is excruciatingly uncomfortable. You exhaust pretty much every conversation about the weather/their family until you’re left in silence. When your best friend returns, you can breathe easy.

#6 You’re Great At Photobombing

You know that whenever your couple friend is getting their picture taken, it’s your duty to jump in the middle and pull a face.

They think they deserve a nice photo together? Think again, sweetie.

#7 You’ve Come To Realise It’s Actually Better Being Single

Hanging around with couples so much has really made you realise how good you’ve got it. Sure, they look really cosy and say nice things to one another every now and then but damn, it’s a lot of work.

You’re fine with being the #ForeverSingle third wheel for as long as you can.

(Lead image: How I Met Your Mother/CBS)