CEO tries out billionaire investor Bill Ackman’s viral ‘May I meet you’ dating tip. What happened next

The CEO of a New York-based media company, Nick O’Neill, filmed himself trying Bill Ackman’s tip on random women in the city. (Image credit: @chooserich/X)

American billionaire entrepreneur Bill Ackman recently went viral after sharing some dating tips on X, which sparked a debate and triggered a meme fest on social media. The advice — “May I meet you?” — received more than 20 million views. But, when a US-based CEO decided to test the line in real life, the results were far from Ackman’s optimistic prediction.

Ackman wrote that in his youth, he would ask, “May I meet you?” before starting a conversation. According to him, the phrase “almost never got a no” and opened doors to meeting “really interesting people.” He credited “proper grammar and politeness” for its success and suggested it works for women and same-sex interactions too.

His post sparked a meme fest and widespread debate about modern dating culture.

pic.twitter.com/iVXqurvhhO

— GaslightSonata (@GaslightSonata) November 16, 2025

Ackman's post also triggered sharp commentary. “You’re doing it wrong. I think it works once you have $1 billion in the account," joked one X user. "You didn't do it billionairely,' added another.  A third user commented, "At this point, I dare say you have more restraining orders than you have community notes."

Meanwhile, the CEO of a New York-based media company, Nick O’Neill, filmed himself trying Ackman’s tip. In one viral video, he approached a busking street performer and asked, “May I meet with you?” The attempt ended awkwardly. Summing up the experience, he said: “Bill Ackman really fell through with that advice.” He shook his head and added, “Crazy.”

I just tested @BillAckman’s “May I meet you” dating method https://t.co/scDdaMLuMipic.twitter.com/3nv5U5ghHN — Nick O’Neill (@chooserich) November 16, 2025

In another clip, O’Neill tried the same approach inside a crowded New York subway. This time, he was ignored completely.

I just tested @BillAckman’s “May I meet you” dating method on a moving subway https://t.co/muelv2j3vBpic.twitter.com/Gd4P9sJsMu

— Nick O’Neill (@chooserich) November 17, 2025

Reacting to it, an X user wrote, “You can’t just announce it to the whole subway and expect it to work. Try approaching someone individually and giving them your undivided attention.” Another added, "Thank you for taking one for the team and getting some empirical evidence."