Dating tips for techies - Boston Herald

Two young local female entrepreneurs a dating coach and a personal stylist have a bright idea about how to help Boston area brainiacs kick back, relax and maybe meet Mrs. Right.

These people are working really long hours and its hard to find time to connect with someone or just have a good time, said organizer Sara Sharnoff, the dating coach. I dont find them awkward if anything I think theyre really interesting.

So Sharnoff and co-organizer Emmi Sorokin this Friday will host Brains, Beer & Babes, a dating event for highly creative and intelligent singles in Kendall Square.

The $10 event at MeadHall in Cambridge is part-mixer, part-consulting session and is aimed at giving entrepreneurs and techies tips on dating, flirting and dressing. Sharnoffs No. 1 piece of advice for such men is to focus on what makes them unique when talking to a woman.

Theyll remember you and your passion, she said. Being confident is very attractive.

Sorokin, the personal stylist, advises them never to wear dad jeans wide at the thigh and tapered at the ankle or sneakers to a date.

You can only wear those if your heart rate is at 70 percent of its maximum, Sorokin said.

About 30 people had signed up by late last week, and the pair wants to keep the crowd to an intimate 50. Beforehand, theyre asking attendees ice-breaker questions like, Whats the most adventurous or spontaneous thing youve ever done? or Give us two true statements and one lie about yourself.

Well be that third party to help ease those awkward introductions, have some drinks, and help everyone have a good time, Sharnoff said.

In her day job, Sharnoff mostly helps men in their mid-20s to mid-40s learn to flirt, manage relationships and decrease approach anxiety. Services range from $60 to the $1,400 VIP package.

Thats total access to me e-mail, phone, whatever. Its kind of your own personal dating concierge, if you need to call someone from the bathroom at 3 a.m. for advice.

Sorokin runs Its A Mans World Image Consulting, which has been helping two to five men a week dress for dates, jobs and other goals, at $250 to $650 a session, for three years.

She said men make two false assumptions about dressing well: That it requires uncomfortable, formal clothing, and that its difficult. Modern clothes that fit right are a good start.

Its just as easy to throw on that stuff as it is your MacWorld T-shirt, your pleated khaki shorts and socks and sandals, she said. And youll feel like a rock star.

The pair are trying to help solve a particularly Bostonian problem, Sorokin said getting intensely focused people to relax and meet new people.

You can go out to a bazillion business networking events, but its very hard to find cool people for a romantic night out, she said.