I found that doing activities not related to nerd culture really helps you connect with non-programmers. Dancing, sports, volunteering (aside from Code for America, which is great, but filled with programmers) all help.
Also, regularly socializing with non-programmers seems to be a check against some of the anti-social habits we're all prone to pick up
Also, regularly socializing with non-programmers seems to be a check against some of the anti-social habits we're all prone to pick up