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When Geeks Marry Non-Geeks, It Can Be a Cluster-Frak

031709_tf_geekgf.jpgI've never been married, but as a self-proclaimed geek who has dated both fellow nerds and civilians alike, I could relate to Wired's list of "10 Annoying Habits of a Geeky Spouse." Some of the suggestions, based on the (geek) author's behavior as described by his (non-geek) wife, sound like a page out of a great weekend with my current super-nerd S.O., while some reminded me why I'll never go back to non-geek dating again. I mean, really, who doesn't love to dissect movies for plot loopholes right after you watch them?

 
 

Check out the list at Wired, then come back and let us know which geeky habits you are guilty of. Pick some from the list or add your own in the comments.

For me, I could totally see myself in the suggestion that geeks are prone to take apart movies for inaccuracies and loopholes. If the movie is a remake or an adaptation, forget about it. I'll be talking up a storm for days about what was done wrong or what went missing that shouldn't have.

Also, I am totally guilty of looking up information while a discussion or argument is still in progress. Like the author says, what's the point of me having a BlackBerry if I can't use it to look up whether or not the guy in that Cameron Diaz RomCom played Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight? (True story, BTW)

And of course, there's needing to watch certain TV shows as soon as they air to avoid spoilers. Even though my boyfriend is a geek and admits that he would love it, he came into the game too late and now there's no hope for him to catch up on the epic novel that is ABC's Lost. But he knows that if, for some reason, Wednesday night brings up a question or problem, he better start talking at the commercials and prepare to be cut short if I see John Locke's mug back on my screen. Because if I didn't catch it right when it airs, I would have to avoid all incoming text messages and the entire internet—Facebook, Twitter and even Google News—until I got around to watching.

So, Unplgg'rs... are you guilty of taking on geeky projects that take over your house and your weekends? How about wearing obscurely geeky T-shirts to "normal" places? Or requiring extra room in the house for geeky things? Let us know!



[ Image by Johnnie W@lker at Flickr ]

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Blogging..., habit, geek, annoying, living together, nerd, cohabitation, spouse

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Comments (7)

As a very non-geek (I never even took physics... he's a physicist al la the movie REAL GENIUS... which is in fact the only way I can explain what he does to other non-geeks) I have to say I’ve actually started to get into some of my fiance's geekisms (I even made a "Pi" themed dinner for Pi Day!) and I think I’m much better for it. And I've found that when I'm stressed with work and can't sleep, asking him to tell me about a paper he working on is is stronger than AMBIEN, which he knows and gladly lulls me to sleep.

posted by jennycupcake on March 17th 2009 at 8:46am
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My girlfriend and I are both geeks and art students, it's great for us but a bad combination for the cleanliness of our apartment.

posted by peshue on March 17th 2009 at 11:27am
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I never really figured it out myself, but this explains why my ex hated discussing movies with me. I didn't realize that 'other people' don't love it when you point out plot holes. Yes I KNOW the plot of the movie is that aliens invade but that doesn't mean they can just ignore normal physics.

posted by Rolen the Great on March 17th 2009 at 12:11pm
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aliens may be able to ignore simple physics.

posted by maximumHOTbottom on March 17th 2009 at 1:05pm
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ROFL Thanks AT for posting this delightful article and making me laugh out loud. My man and I are both geeks and I just sent him the link to this fracking great post!

posted by Monica on March 17th 2009 at 2:41pm
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LOL, thanks for that great article. I am so guilty of #2 (frak!) and sometimes 8 and b.f. is very very very guilty of #6, 8 and, sigh, 1.

posted by ashleym (aka autzve on flickr) on March 17th 2009 at 5:23pm
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I use discarded lab glassware as decorative items in my home. I have more than a few geek t-shirts. I use science words in everyday conversation. I definitely look up information to resolve arguments. Who doesn't? I get annoyed by movies where there are large fires in space.

The boyfriend says that I have more of the list than he does.

posted by sciencegeek on March 17th 2009 at 7:29pm
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