I have no idea why, but I seem to attract virtual Romeos. You know the guys – hopeless “romantics” who have no communication skills whatsoever unless it involves using the QWERTY keyboard on his cell phone, which is permanently attached to his palm.

In this technology-obsessed generation, the modern “gentleman” has swapped phone calls and face-to-face contact with disengaged texts and casual Facebook messages. I have had firsthand experience with these digital duds.

This last summer I met this guy, Brian. While I was standing in line at Subway in the Varsity, we made eye contact. Because I’m from Texas, I politely smiled. Perhaps my eyebrow was raised a little too suggestively or my lips curled a bit too much but apparently my friendly gesture was a bit more come-hither than anticipated. This sparked poor ‘ol Brian to use the worst pick-up line I have ever heard.

“Say, you got a Facebook?” Brian asked.

“Why yes, yes I do,” I replied. Of course I have a Facebook, who is this guy?

“Oh. Cool, cool. What’s your name?” he pursued.

“My name is Nikki,” I told him. Is he kidding? What is this?

And that was the last thing I said to Brian. He grabbed his phone, typed something, muttered “cool,” and then scuffled away. That was quite odd, I thought to myself. I finished my sandwich and went about my day. Lo and behold, when I go home that night, I have a Facebook friend request from Brian. Wait, what? How did this guy find me? Accompanying his request, there was a message in my inbox asking me out. Not only was I slightly weirded out by his incredible stalking skills, I was offended by his effortless attempt and lack of punctuation. He didn’t even use capital letters! Was Mr. Too Cool too suave to press the shift key?

I guess I can’t blame the guy – let’s face it, chivalry is dead. You’d be hard-pressed to find a man these days who knows the ins and outs of romance. In this digital day and age, traditional wooing has been reduced to flirting via text, instant message and Facebook. It’s a shame. College students just don’t know how to date.

In high school the informal group date set the dating precedence, and now we don’t really know how to court in the traditional sense. And now in college, the hookup is increasingly replacing the date. A girl and a guy know each other from class. He sends her a text about a party. They meet up, flirt, casually talk and promiscuously dance. Things get hot and heavy and they go home together. Girl gets casual text the next day. This is what dating has been cheapened to: a glorified hookup induced by digital media, where maybe, just maybe, it will turn into something substantial. Maybe the night of drunken passion will turn into a meaningful relationship that evolves over time. Oh please. Come on, ladies – you’re smarter than that.

There are thousands of women out there completely confused, who don’t know what to do, how to act or what really defines a relationship. I blame the lack of communication. Technology has made communicating with people so much more convenient and at the sake of convenience, a personal connection is sacrificed. How people are using communication devices every day and still aren’t communicating is beyond me. You can have e-mail, instant message and texts, but still be completely devoid of human feeling. That’s a problem.

I guess I’m a traditionalist. I think it’s not only appropriate, but completely necessary to date. And I’m talking about real dating. I refuse to respond to a request in my inbox. That doesn’t fly. Yes, I expect a man to call me, pick me up and take me out. Do I expect the guy to pull out every chair or to open every door? No, but that earns some major brownie points.

Honestly, guys, the modern woman is not looking for an iron-clad knight in shining armor to save her. We don’t need to be rescued; we are more than perfectly capable on our own. Women don’t expect you to stand up every time they enter a room or bow in their presence, but use some common courtesy and be polite.

So, guys, next time you decide to be a virtual Romeo and reach for your laptop or cell phone to write that oh-so-romantic “r u free tonite?” message, think again. Pick up the phone and give her a call. Let her know you respect her and you’re more than a digital dud.

Nikki Cloer is a sophomore psychology major. She can be reached at [email protected].