10 Weird Things Smart People do on First Dates
- Andrea McGinty, Dating Expert
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
🧠 When Mensa Meets Match.com
By Andrea McGinty Founder, 33,000 Dates | It’s Just Lunch
Featured on Oprah, People, Wall Street Journal, Today Show, CNN & more
After 30+ years in the dating world, here’s something that still makes me shake my head (and sometimes laugh out loud):
the smarter someone is in real life, the weirder they can be online.
(ok, what I really wanted to say was: Is there an inverse correlation between how smart you are in every day stuff and how dumb you are online?)
You run global companies. You’re performing robotic surgeries. You’re the volunteer queen. A master gardener. You’re literally a Mensa member — yet your first message is, “Hey there 😊.”
What happens between the boardroom and Bumble? It’s like the IQ drops 50 points when Wi-Fi connects.
Overthink their profile like it’s a Supreme Court brief.
You’re not filing an appeal — it’s Bumble, not the Harvard Law Review.
Use their SAT score as a personality trait.
Congrats on the 1560, Einstein, but can you plan a great date?
Lead with “Sapiosexual.”
Translation: “I’m about to lecture you on AI ethics.”
Forget punctuation but remember Nietzsche quotes.
Because commas are for commoners, apparently.
Upload one blurry conference photo from 2012.
Caption: “At a symposium.” No one knows what that means. Or cares.
Message like they’re teaching a seminar.
“Your question reminds me of Kant’s categorical imperative.” 🥴
Miss obvious flirting cues.
You: “Cute dog!”
Them: “He’s a Hungarian Vizsla, originally bred in the 14th century.”
Flirtation: deceased.
Argue in the first five messages.
Debate team instincts die hard. You’re not winning — you’re repelling.
Correct typos mid-flirt.
“Your dinner looks great.” → “You’re.” Way to kill the vibe, Grammarly.
List every Ivy League school in 200 characters.
We get it. You collect diplomas. Try collecting experiences next.
💡 The Takeaway
Dating isn’t a Rubik cube — it’s chemistry, emotion, and timing.
Brains are sexy, but connection is what lasts.
So if you’re brilliant and baffled by online dating, maybe close the spreadsheets and open up. Authenticity beats algorithms every time. Thrown in with a push from a pro.
💌 Ready to Stop Overthinking and Start Connecting?
Book a free 15-minute chat with Andrea at 33000Dates.com. Let’s make your love life as smart as the rest of your life.
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