Have you seen the ads for the Geek 2 Geek dating service? Have a look at it.

As a geek, I can’t deny the incredible advantages of dating or being in a relationship with one of your own. I think being able to share your passion for science-fiction, gaming or anime with your other half makes your relationship deeper, happier and more genuine.

My husband doesn’t complain when I play video games on the PS3 for two hours (because he’s playing on his computer) and he doesn’t mind that I introduce him to X-Files because I’m always game to watch some anime he likes that I don’t know. We teach each other about different aspects of geek culture and have geeky inside jokes. We go to Comiccon and shop for t-shirts and video games together. It’s great to be able to be completely myself in my relationship. Recently, I met Patrick Stewart at Montreal Comiccon. Despite the fact that having my picture taken with him was even more expensive than getting his signature on my Jean-Luc Picard figurine from First Contact, my husband understood what it meant for me to meet the actor who incarnated my childhood hero. He even bought me two other Picard figurines that weekend. Can’t complain.

Other geeks agree. Ever watched Geek Love on TLC?

In episode one of Geeks Love on TLC, geeks participate in a speed dating activity at New York Comiccon. Some people interviewed during the episode expressed various reasons why dating a geek is better.

“What’s great about geek love is you’re not getting the odd look from you significant other when you commit to four hours to painting a shield. They get it!”

However, what interests me in this ad isn’t the idea that geeks should date geeks. Although in reality, geeks, like anyone, should simply be with the person they love, period. But let’s set that aside. What strikes me with this ad is that it presents the geeks as two not so socially competent people with a not-so-great fashion sense. The ad could have made it’s point without referring to such stereotypes. The advertiser’s objective might have been to show geeks with low self-esteem that they too could date.  Or maybe it has a bad impression of geeks. You’d have to ask the creators of the service to know, since I couldn’t find that information on the service’s website.

Truth is, it’s probably a perk in any relationship to be able to share your passion and life choices with your other half, be it sports, travelling, scuba diving or anything else. There are dating services for busy professionals.  You can see their ads in airlines magazines (they target their audiences well) and they generally promise their potential clients that they’ll meet equally driven people, or that their services will adapt to their busy schedule (such as It’s Only Lunch). But the fact that a dating service specifically aimed at geeks exists seems to suggest that, like busy professionals, they have unique relationship patterns or relational difficulties. Or it might simply mirror society’s view of them. Which is it?

In the end,  it’s not only in romantic relationships that it’s great to have people to share your passions with. Having geek friends is also a great source of joy for me. My husband doesn’t watch Doctor Who, but some of my friends do. And my family is pretty awesome: we all went to the Video Games live concert together. Admit it, you’re jealous! So cherish the geeks around you!