or most computer geeks, writing code is easy. But trying to compose an amorous email may cause night sweats. At Germany's University of Potsdam, Phillip von Senftleben teaches IT students the subtle art of pitching woo. Some notes from Flirting 101: Do it digitally. Messaging gives you a chance to be charming without the palpitations caused by face-to-face contact. Hooray for technology! Avoid sending lame texts like "hey, how r u?" Go for: "nothing compares 2 u." Forget Star Wars. Don't spend 20 minutes on Wookiees unless your crush sports a Princess Leia 'do or a lightsaber. Maybe not even then. Express interest. "Bibliometrics, huh? Tell me all about it!" Don't dance. As every '80s nerd movie shows, it's just too risky.
—Sabrina Crawford