Bill Ackman, hedge fund manager and serial X user, has decided to perilously wade into the world of dating advice, and away from high brow commentary on markets and NY politics. It’s a risk move.
Here is his advice, in full:
I hear from many young men that they find it difficult to meet young women in a public setting. In other words, the online culture has destroyed the ability to spontaneously meet strangers. As such, I thought I would share a few words that I used in my youth to meet someone that I found compelling.
I would ask: “May I meet you?” before engaging further in a conversation. I almost never got a No.
It inevitably enabled the opportunity for a further conversation. I met a lot of really interesting people this way.
I think the combination of proper grammar and politeness was the key to its effectiveness. You might give it a try.
And yes, I think it should also work for women seeking men as well as same sex interactions.
Just two cents from an older happily married guy concerned about our next generation’s happiness and population replacement rates.
Mr Ackman has 1.8 million followers (including me!) but this one went viral. From what I have observed in the past 24 hours, this advice has entered the real world in two seperate ways.
- The Kek: “May I meet you?” is a bit strange, and in a world filled with cameras and those willing to do whatever it takes to be famous, there are plenty of clips and snaps of men asking “May I a meet you?” in humorous and unsuccessful ways. This was always going to happen.
- The success stories: Mr Ackman is not backing down, and has been furiously reposting success stories. A slightly autistic guy in SF has a date on Friday after asking this. There are many more examples sprinkling through. Within 12 months, we will see our first proposals between people that first conversation started with the words “May I meet you?”. I can’t wait.
“May I meet you?” is genius the more I think about it. First off, it’s “coded”; only those who are both on X AND into Ackman will know about it, so it is a great filter.
It’s also a nice mix between politeness and forthrightness; it isn’t aggressive, but it is also explicit. The asker clearly wants to get to know the other person and perhaps begin a romantic relationship. Saying “I like your hair” or “Do you come here often?” could mean a lot of things, but may I meet you only means one.
It will be interesting to see how it all pans out.