Being Called a 'Tech Geek' is Now a Compliment

Are you the family member or friend who is always called when someone's computer breaks or starts acting up? Do you have a person on speed dial whenever you need a website created or program updated? The old stereotype of a computer geek who's always wearing a pocket protector and glasses with taped-together frames is quickly becoming a thing of the past. These days, men and women who are able to speak "tech" and fix those pesky computer programs are in high demand, both professionally and among friends and family. One reason is that more than 80 percent of American households have a computer, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. When those computers don't work, who are you going to call? When someone calls a person a tech geek these days, it's meant to be a compliment, according to a new survey conducted by GMI Research and commissioned by Crucial.com. Are you single and trying to promote yourself on dating sites? You might want to advertise that you're a tech geek, according to the Tech-Know Meter Survey. One in three women say they prefer their significant other be tech savvy. "Americans recognize how prevalent tech has become in everyday life," says Ed Walker, Crucial.com marketing manager. "These findings demonstrate that society has warmed to people who are the most capable at fixing and improving the devices we rely on, both in our personal and professional lives." It's not just that people want to be friends with tech geeks - they want to become one themselves, the survey found. A majority of men and women are interested in improving their personal tech savviness, even if it's so they don't have to constantly bug a friend for help. And while the percentage of people who claim to be tech savvy is heavily male, a significant number of women are showing interest, too, making the term tech geek more gender neutral. There's a good chance you have a tech-geek friend, both in your personal life and at the office. In fact, you might have several at the office. Most industries these days rely on technology to survive, and survey respondents say job candidates with tech skills have a stronger resume than those who don't. Having a strong list of tech geeks handy is important if you are not one yourself. So the next time someone is introduced to you as being a tech geek, be sure to get his or her number! And if you can call yourself a tech geek, wear the title like a badge of honor - and depending on how popular you want to be, protect your cellphone number!