Bill Ackman’s “may I meet you” dating advice became a meme, and people say the line actually works
Billionaire Bill Ackman launched a new dating meme with his weekend story about going up to women to ask, "May I meet you?" The X post by the hedge fund manager initially was mocked for promoting this strange and awkward phase, with some calling him out of touch due to his age and wealth.@dieworkwear/XBut as the memes spread, some people began to report success with the phrase on dating apps.How Bill Ackman hits on womenAckman, 59, posted the fateful tweet on Nov. 15 for the benefit of young men with no game."I hear from many young men that they find it difficult to meet young women in a public setting," he wrote. "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."https://twitter.com/BillAckman/status/1989793183698714946"I would ask: 'May I meet you?' before engaging further in a conversation. I almost never got a No." The billionaire credited "politeness" and "proper grammar" for the line's success. After all, everyone knows all the ladies love a grammar nerd.The straightforward approach can be effective, but the odd nature of the phrase made the post go viral, with over 35 million views so far. Making it into a meme was as simple as pairing it with images that convey social awkwardness. All those photos of men talking to women who are clearly uninterested or uncomfortable? "MAY I MEET YOU?"@EffMktHype/X@RudyHavenstein/X@RampCapitalLLC/X@HighyieldHarry/X"May I meet you?" is Tinder ad goldWhile many doubted the effectiveness of such a question in today's dating world, some just had to try it out. In a quote tweet, X user @Derivatives_Ape told his "may I meet you" tale to the platform, and it didn't turn out quite like Ackman's experience."Last night I was at this bar and I saw a brunette near the dartboard," he said. "She had on a denim jacket, and looked friendly enough. I thought, alright, this is my moment. I walked over, tried to look confident, and said: 'May I meet you?'"https://twitter.com/Derivatives_Ape/status/1989800039682552231Maybe the guy still referencing NFTs didn't have Ackman's confidence, but he was basically laughed out of the general area of this woman and her friends."I will never listen to Bill Ackman again," he concluded. "Never taking advice from a boomer again.. this [expletive] doesn't work in 2025."@cdxker/XOthers reported similar failures, and one user posted a photo of a digital Tinder ad using the phrase as its entire point. As a competitor to in-person approaches to landing a date, this makes sense, though the photo itself may be a fake. If so, Tinder needs to get on it.@nominalthoughts/XTo be fair, at least one X user posted evidence of a date happening thanks to Bill Ackman.Memes spread, and now the line worksThe apes guy and others who struck out with "may I meet you" may have simply tried it too soon, however. As time went on, dating app users began to report on the "Bill Ackman Effect." Because more and more people are now aware of the meme, the line is getting laughs—and dates.@MurrayHillGuy1/XThe day after he posted his advice, Ackman reported that a college student got a date with the phrase. In a quote tweet, @lulumeservey suggested that this makes sense among the age group that loves memes the most.https://twitter.com/lulumeservey/status/1990277290467725312"Unironically, 'May I meet you? ' has just become a killer pickup line for this exact demographic," she wrote, noting that an "inside joke creates shared connection."Others soon began to share screenshots from their dating app of choice showing message after message asking the question. Whether they're sincerely trying it out or referencing the meme, it's happening.@PaulaYScanlan/X"The Bill Ackman Effect is real," said @PaulaYScanlan.The internet is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s newsletter here.Sign up to receive the Daily Dot’s Internet Insider newsletter for urgent news from the frontline of online.The post Bill Ackman’s “may I meet you” dating advice became a meme, and people say the line actually works appeared first on The Daily Dot.
Ackman, 59, posted the fateful tweet on Nov. 15, explaining he used the phrase in his youth and "almost never got a No." He attributed its success to "politeness" and "proper grammar." However, the post was initially met with mockery, with many finding the phrase outdated and out of touch. The internet quickly transformed the advice into a meme, pairing the phrase with images depicting awkward and unwanted advances.
Despite the initial ridicule, a curious phenomenon began to emerge. Some individuals started experimenting with the line, particularly on dating apps, and reported surprising success. While some users initially faced rejection, attributing their failure to a lack of Ackman's confidence or the phrase being ill-suited for the modern dating landscape, the meme's widespread circulation seems to have changed the game.
As more people became aware of the "May I meet you?" meme, the line started eliciting laughter and, more importantly, dates. One X user, @lulumeservey, suggested the phrase's effectiveness lies in its status as an "inside joke," creating a shared connection among those in on the meme. Screenshots of dating app conversations flooded social media, showcasing a surge in messages using the once-derided pickup line, either sincerely or as a playful reference. This unexpected turn of events has led some to dub it the "Bill Ackman Effect," proving that even seemingly outdated advice can find new life in the age of internet memes.