Once-upon-a-time geek knows how to be cool these days

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
If you're a little on the nerdy side and you need tips on dealing with the opposite sex, why not get them from a guy who just had a crash course in de-geeking?
Last fall, Joe Block, a 24-year-old University of Chicago grad, took time off from getting his doctorate in mechanical engineering at Northwestern University to take part in "Beauty and the Geek 2." The reality show pairs hot ladies with brainy guys in the hopes that each group will learn something from the other, and the first edition of "Beauty" was a surprisingly entertaining -- and successful -- show for the WB network.
"Beauty," which returned this week, is not a dating show, but Block says that through his teammate on the show and the other women in the "Beauty" mansion, he learned a lot about how to present a better image to the opposite sex. Here are just a few of the things he learned:
UTry to create at least a little mystery about yourself; don't always offer tons of information upfront. A lot of geeks "are very nice guys, and go out of their way to do nice things, and girls sometimes take that and run with it. In the end, you have to be a little bit of a challenge" or you risk "falling into the friend zone," Block says.
UCheck out how you're standing. "How you carry yourself -- your posture, how you shake hands -- all of that is important."
UDon't get hung up on setting up big, official "dates." "Meeting up with friends and/or in group settings is less awkward."
UBe open-minded about whom you will or won't date. "Sometimes guys limit their possibilities by saying, 'I only like girls who like this or that.' You'll find a lot of geeky guys are very picky ... It's good to know what you want, but there are pros and cons to everything and everyone," Block notes.
UDress better. "A lot of guys get stuck in wardrobe ruts, and they're not willing to change." Be willing to change, and to listen to hair and fashion advice from those you trust.
UNobody's perfect -- even attractive people feel insecure at times. "The girls would look at pictures of themselves and point out all these things that were wrong with them -- things guys would never think of," Block said, which was "kind of shocking."
UAvoid cheesy pickup lines. Just initiate a short conversation with someone who catches your eye at a bar, but then move on in a quick but friendly way. You never know, that person might seek you out later. "For every one out of 10 times that works, it's worth it."
UTake chances. "What was holding a lot of guys (on the show) back was the fear of failure," Block says. But he learned that "even if you do mess up, you'll still be all right."