Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management and one of Wall Street's most outspoken figures, has unexpectedly become the center of a cultural storm on crypto X (formerly Twitter) after posting what he described as a simple, polite dating tactic from his youth.
In his now-viral post, Ackman wrote :
"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."
Hours later, he added a clarification: the line "works much more effectively when you are moving," recommending "subways, elevators, escalators, airplanes, buses, and even walking down the street."
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Crypto creators tests Ackman's advice
That was all crypto Twitter needed.
BoDoggos co-founder and crypto creator Nick O'Neill immediately took the challenge into real life, posting a video titled: "I just tested Bill Ackman's 'May I meet you' dating method on a moving subway." In the clip, he approaches women on a New York City subway — most of whom avoid eye contact or simply walk away.
Some praised O'Neill's fearlessness. Jakey wrote: "Nick is on the most insane generational run. By far one of the most notably viral video creators on X." Another user said: "Nick has cracked the algorithm. He's producing viral content on the daily. This man cannot be stopped."
But the community is sharply divided.
Skeptics argued Ackman's advice is detached from modern social dynamics. Matthew Graham, founder of Ryze Labs bluntly replied: "Bill that makes even less sense." Others warned that approaching women in enclosed public spaces can feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Female crypto commentators push back
Several female crypto commentators echoed this, urging : "Please don't run up to women on trains with billionaire advice," one user wrote.
Still, part of the community insists the whole debate is more entertainment than social commentary. "Crypto doesn't date, we just farm engagement," one user joked.
Journalist Eleanor Terrett delivered one of the sharpest responses, writing simply: "No, you mayn't."
This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Nov 17, 2025, where it first appeared in the Business News section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
