aNewDomain.net — It’s Valentine’s Day fun versus your tech habits. What do you think will come out on top? Maybe you’re a lonely geek who wants to be in a pair like Penny and Leonard from The Big Bang Theory. Maybe you hope to be like Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley, wielding geek love and magic wands.
Maybe you want to live on in Hollywood romance? Check out nine key tips to make all that happen below the fold.
Some Wise Advice
Scenario: Your phone is buzzing in your pocket, and you’re beginning to shake with FOMO (fear of missing out).
No, don’t pull it out.
No, don’t infinity scroll.
Leave it alone.
Nothing will kill your evening like pulling out your mobile phone, mid awkward silence, to check your emails or the footy scores. You might as well ask for your coat now. Geeks and non-geeks alike will make this rookie mistake on Valentine’s Day. Don’t fall victim. Below find nine more bits of advice for you non-experienced-at-love geeks on Valentine’s Day.
Image credit: thinkstock
1. Careless whispers
Have you just composed a saucy email full of innuendos and racy one-liners? Oh no! You’ve just sent it to your mum!
As the colour drains from your face and you look for the nearest cave to hide in for the rest of your life, you actually might have time to save yourself.
Gmail has a hidden feature that lets you cancel emails up to 10 seconds after you hit send. But this is a lesson to always double-check recipients of emails and texts.
2. Relying on maps to find your restaurant
Don’t walk around with a phone in your hand, desperately searching for your lost restaurant. It’s hardly the smoothest look. Check your maps beforehand, plot your best route and remember how to get there. You should look prepared. Google Now can check your current location and will let you know when you need to leave, so you won’t be late. It can even tell you nearby public transportation to get there on time in a scuffle.
3. Checking social media
For those not being whisked away for a candlelit evening of romance — keep away from Facebook. Seeing updates of doe-eyed couples plastered all over the place isn’t helping to keep that tub of Ben and Jerry’s in the freezer. Conversely, going social with your love is a fairly sickening act. Please people, keep your love letters, poems and public displays of affection offline — we don’t want to read them or have them rubbed in our faces.
4. Eek! An e-card
Deciding to send a Valentine’s Day card from a cheesy online email greeting company is about as good of an idea as booking a table at Pizza Hut and deciding to split the bill. When the service first surfaced on the web they were great and yes, they can be lifesaving when it comes to some events (a third cousin, twice-removed, wins a swimming gala, perhaps). But for this day (and most days) you want hand-written sentiment. An email message is a bit of a let down. It might go to their spam folder, and how can you seal it with a loving kiss?
5. Using the following words in a conversation:
LOL, Fail, WTF.
No, don’t, and please refrain. You are not pioneering a neologism. You are not the first person to use these. They are well-worn and the antithesis of funny — even when used ironically. A sure-fire way to catch a premature solo bus ride home.
6. Choosing the wrong playlist
Sharing your favorite songs with someone is like wearing your heart on your sleeve. It’s a vulnerable moment. Getting it right is even more of a challenge, but there’s no reason to fret. Perhaps you prefer a tender Slipknot lullaby over Barry White (lets hope she/he does, too) but don’t have the album? Use the heap of online music streaming services to solidify that moment. The likes of iTunes Radio and Pandora will select tracks to play for you based on your favorite genre. At least if something a bit cringe does come on, you can blame it on the them.
7. Tweeting how your date is going
Posting periodic updates on how your night is going is a big mistake. Even if it’s a positive review. Don’t forget your date could be following you. Or was, depending on what you say.
8. Wearing a video game t-shirt to dinner
Leave it in the wardrobe. Next.
9. Tatty transport
If you really want to impress, forget about using your typical taxi to get around. Jump on Uber — a luxury taxi service booked suavely by using your mobile phone. With an account on your phone you won’t need cash, and if things take an icy turn for the worst the fare can be split between users. It is slightly more expensive than the standard taxi, but at least you get a guaranteed ride.
For all you geeks out there, aNewDomain.net has you covered. The infographic below might provide hope — a history of Geek love with our favorite heroes and heroines. Good luck and remember, it’s just another day.
I’m David Michaelis.
Based in Australia, David Michaelis is a world-renowned international journalist and founder of Link Tv. At aNewDomain.net, he covers the global beat, focusing on politics and other international topics of note for our readers in a variety of forums. Email him atDavidMc@aNewDomain.net.
See Creative GEEK LOVE history made by Joey Paur.
