My inner nerd

I recently read an article that vindicated my years of bad clothes, glasses, reading history books and watching Star Trek movies. According to New York’s Daily News, nerds make the best lovers.

Thank God I have something. See, being a museum/history nerd used to be quite the hindrance to a prospective relationship. When I was in college, my two best friends were anthropology majors. We’d go out to the bar and chat up some cute coeds. Inevitably they’d ask, “So what’s your major?” Now, when my friends replied with anthropology, the cute coed’s face would always light up. “Wow, that’s SO cool. Do you get to dig up stuff? You must be like Indiana Jones!” are just some of the gushing responses. When I replied with history, the cute coed’s face would turn blank. Then it would turn to disgust as she replied, “Oh, I had professor so-and-so, and that guy was AWFUL! He was so boring! He gave me a ‘D’!” Cute young coed would quickly find a way out of the conversation, and then search for some young anthropology student.

Needless to say, I didn’t date much in college. But something weird happened after I entered the working world. Suddenly, being a history nerd – and working for a museum – was sexy. “You work for a museum? That must be SO interesting! What do you do every day? It must be great to work somewhere you love!” I spent my days dusting off old artifacts or researching obscure historical topics, and yet cute women were into me even though I’m a museum nerd.

Lately, it’s been different. I’m currently “in between jobs.” And you know, unemployed nerds just don’t seem as appealing. Oh sure, I still meet people and they still seem interested. But the ones I really want to date, the ones I really like, don’t seem to know I’m here.

That’s the story of my life, really. See, the inner nerd always speaks strong. He’s the one who danced alone in eighth grade because he was too afraid to dance with somebody. He’s the one who pined over his prom date because he didn’t think she would be interested. Sure, he grew up. He dresses well, has a better pair of glasses, and can talk in a crowd. He isn’t that bad looking either, if I do say. But he still thinks of himself as a nerd.

Maybe I’ll get over it. Perhaps, some day, that inner nerd will no longer speak. But in a way, I sure hope not. After all, nerds do make the best lovers.

Museum nerds: share your stories about dating and whether working in a museum helps or hurts. Are you another kind of nerd? Share your story too. Click on the “Comments” button below. Real names or email address are not necessary.