German University offers free "How-to-flirt" class for Computer Science students (aka nerds)

Computer scientists don't have the best reputation when it comes to Flirting or Hooking up with Ladies. Students of the University of Potsdam in Germany can now get advice on how to write smooth text messages instead of binary code. The students marvel at their professor's advice that they should spend at least 3 hours putting together their very first text message to a potential mate!


No, geeks are not relationship incompetent. No, computer science departments at universities are no women free zone. No, they are not Nerds, not freaks, no socially disturbed technicians. And: Yes, they are all absolutely annoyed by these the clichés.

Computer Science students are fed up with how they are perceived by others - and this class offered exclusively for them might not change this perception any time soon!

It all started when The Hasso-Plattner-Institute offered the following class in the new semester" "IT students learn to flirt by writing text messages." This was a straight invitation for mockery; a German newpaper (Hamburger Abendblatt) soon wrote about the "cheese-like" complexion of computer science students, there was talk about them "badly needing some advice in this field" (Berliner Kurier).

An any case, the course attracted a lot of interest from noth the student body as well as the media in Germany. 300 students total signed up for this class. Not enough room was offered in the lecture hall, so they sat on the stairs and the floor, wherever space permitted.

The institute offers various classes in the "soft skill" area, including stress management and learning strategies.

The lecturer is Phillip von Senftleben, a 42 old radio DJ. In real life, he uses his flirtation skills to extract phone numbers from women - no winder this is a very successfull show broadcast all over Germany. He is rather humble, as he once famously rates himself 6 out of 10 on the attractiveness-scale. In the class, he cites famous German explorer Wilhelm von Humboldt.

Language is what makes man a man.

His second piece of advice: FLirting should be easy. He does not believe in the fight between the genders. He proceeds by citing Robert McNamara. "Empathize with your enemy." He reveals that he was rather unskilled and shy himself, until the age of 12, when he got interested in the general topic of flirtation. He now successfully travels the country and teaches his craft, gives seminars, teaches one-on-one classes, and is even writing a book. The girls in the classroom confirm afterwards that they did indeed perceive him as charming rather than sleazy. So obviously, guys have a lot to learn from him.

Now, it is time for him to cvoer the actual topic. Flriting by writing a text message. He explains the following: "Imagine you had a car crash with Angelina Jolie/Brad pitt (depending on sexual preference). You are now writing her/him a text message to . Take 3 hours to formulate the perfect text message." Why the long time span? The reason, he argues, is that the message is far from being private - most recipients are likely to show it to their friends or even family! So, formulation is of utmost importance.

One student gives it a try "Hi Angie. My car wants to meet your car again." Cute but a little odd. Second attempt, this time from a female student: "Hey, Brad, I'll pay for the crash but you pay for dinner." Better, a bit more powerful and straightforward. Another try: "Hi Brad, if you are still sick, I am an excellent nurse". The professors gives this one an A+. Why? The author clearly indicates that the recipient has an advantage by meeting up again.

When the topic shifts to "compliments" and how to make them, the professor points out that the most importang thing to remember is that they absolutely must be honest. Honest, but not boring. A woman has heard 10 million times that she has pretty eyes. It's better to say something along the lines of "In your eyes, I see...".

Towards the end of the class, the professor lists bad examples of compliments, the ones to absolutely avoid:

• "Did it hurt, when you fell from the sky?".
  
• "Hey Praline, do you need a filling?".
  

Upon hearing these examples, the guys cheer, the female audience yawns.

Have these German students learned anything essential in that class? Maybe yes, maybe no. A few believe they have learned essential communication skills to be used in the business life. At least, they were very much entertained for the duration of the class.

The bill goes to the German tax payer - universities are state-funded in Germany and students may study for free, as long and as many disciplines as they like. Most students don't graduate until their late 20ies/early 30ies. Now we know why - this class makes me want to go back to school myself! In my computer science classes, the only talk was about algortihms, data structures, networks and how to enhance them. Looks like the networks I really needed study were not offered until this class came around!

This German students needs some help in the very complex discipline of "flirting":


Professor "Flirt":


What's that on the board???