I think it’s important for guys to realize that no matter how shy or outgoing you are, you will always have that little bit inside of you where you compare yourself to everyone you are not. I also think it’s important for guys to realize that you have things to offer that those other boys don’t. Honestly, being a nerd is pretty awesome! You’re smart, you have a better sense of humor than most, and, if a lady is lucky, you smell pretty good. Don’t believe me; curious to know how you stack up against other “ideal” men? Today’s your lucky day…

5. Loyalty

A good majority of the people I confide in day-in and day-out are nerds.  Actually, they are some of the more loyal people I know. I never worry that my nerdy friends will turn my relationship woes into headlining news for all of our mutual friends to enjoy. I also know that a nerd will always drop everything he is doing to go to a concert or movie screening that he may have absolutely no interest in, just because it’s a chance to spend time with friends. Nerds always put themselves and their feelings second, and that is why I like to make sure they know just how much I appreciate it.

4. Conversation

This is a no-brainer. OF COURSE the conversation with a nerd is better than with a hipster! Hipsters are limited to two-word answers no matter the questions, whereas I can just ask what you thought of the newest Star Trek movie and you will all but give me a doctoral thesis. I love being able to pose a question and just see how passionate you are for a topic that other people just don’t get. Now, this isn’t to say that you should insult me or degrade me because my opinion is different. But, if you win the argument or at least make me think differently, then I’ll walk away feeling stimulated and excited for our next round of cerebral jousting.

3. Gadgets

Hipsters may have the shiniest phones, but nerds always know how to use them. I’m never concerned about not knowing how the recent iPhone update works because you always make sure to explain it in layman’s terms. It just makes me love you more when you tell me all about the newest operating system or gaming platform introduced at this month’s tech convention. You are currently researching your allegiance in the Project Natal vs. Sony’s Eye battle months before either hit the stores. You’ll wait in line the day the new iPhone 3GS arrives, just to break your contract and sell the pricey baby three months later for the next hottest phone. And when it comes to house parties, yours is the one I want to attend because it’s a guarantee that I can choose between Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour.

2. Tech support

This point may be a little self-serving for all those computer illiterates out there, however it’s true—tech support and nerds go together like PB and strawberry jam. I don’t consider myself tech savvy, but I do know basic troubleshooting methods. As soon as I’ve tapped out my personal computer resources, you are always there to pick up the pieces. My world almost came to an end a few months ago when my iPhone and work Exchange Server stopped talking to each other. I just knew I was going to lose all my contacts, and of course I didn’t get Mobile Me as a safeguard.  It took over a week to realize I couldn’t fix the problem on my own. It took my friend an hour and a power-burger to retrieve my lost information AND sync it back to my phone! Self-serving yes, but I’m eternally grateful that I will never have to wait in line at Geek Squad for any of my tech needs.

1. Body art

Nerd body art, be it tattoos or piercing, far exceeds hipster body art. Hipsters tend to get tattoos of stars, anchors, or anything else that was featured in the Hipster Handbook. There is really no original thought when it comes to hipsters and their pension for tattoos and piercings. Whatever gives them street cred NOW is what will be inked and pressed into their skin. Nerds on the other hand may choose questionable images to have permanently placed on their bodies, but I promise you in five years seeing a Firefox neck tattoo staring back at you in line at Starbucks will be one of the greatest moments of your life. That takes commitment and a certain amount of je ne sais quoi that hipsters definitely lack. Ear gages and lip rings are removable, but an old-school “Sad Mac” tattoo will always be a show stopper, not to mention incredibly sexy.