If you want to meet a woman, it's best just to smile and say hi.

Hear the simple yet enduring words of Karen McDougal: “If you want to meet a woman, it’s best just to smile and say hi.” Though spoken lightly, these words conceal the strength of ancient wisdom. For they speak of simplicity over artifice, of sincerity over cunning, of the gentle power of the smile and the humble greeting. The world often teaches men to seek elaborate strategies, to cloak their intentions in cleverness or to overwhelm with grandeur. Yet McDougal’s words remind us that the true bridge between souls is built not with ornament but with honesty.

The ancients themselves knew this. In the agora of Athens or the marketplaces of Rome, friendships, alliances, and even great loves began with nothing more than a greeting. A word, a glance, a hand extended in openness—these were the foundations of human connection. For in the “hi”, as McDougal suggests, there lies a signal of courage and vulnerability: the willingness to step forward, to be seen, to acknowledge another as worthy of attention. Coupled with the smile, which has for centuries been the universal language of goodwill, the greeting becomes powerful enough to open the gates of trust.

History offers us countless stories of greatness born from such simple beginnings. Consider the tale of Queen Esther, who won the favor of the Persian king not by trickery nor by overwhelming display, but by her grace, humility, and honest presence. Her approach, rooted in sincerity, transformed the fate of her people. In smaller ways, countless unions, friendships, and alliances across centuries began with nothing more than a word of greeting and a look of warmth. The smile is no trivial gesture—it is the key that unlocks the door of the human heart.

But why is this so? Because human beings crave authenticity. A carefully crafted speech may impress, but it can also breed suspicion. A smile, however, speaks directly to the heart, signaling kindness, openness, and peace. A simple “hi” carries no hidden agenda; it is the most universal of invitations. The one who greets with warmth announces: “I see you. I acknowledge you. I am open to knowing you.” And in a world of masks and pretenses, that sincerity is rare and precious.

McDougal’s wisdom also challenges pride. Many fear rejection and so hide behind arrogance or silence. Yet the act of simply smiling and speaking is itself an act of bravery. It is the declaration that one’s desire to connect outweighs one’s fear of failure. In this, we are reminded that even the boldest endeavors begin with small steps. To meet a woman, or any new soul, is not a matter of conquering, but of approaching with respect and authenticity.

The lesson for us, then, is clear: strip away the unnecessary. Do not overthink the approach to others. Do not build walls of complexity or armor of arrogance. Instead, step forward with the universal tools gifted to you by nature: your smile, your voice, your willingness to say a simple word of greeting. These are enough. From them may spring friendship, love, or even destiny itself.

So let this wisdom be passed down: if you wish to know another, begin not with pretense, but with sincerity. Offer your smile, speak your hi, and let openness carry you the rest of the way. For the greatest connections of life are often born not in the noise of elaborate performance, but in the quiet courage of one person choosing to reach out to another. And in that moment of simplicity, eternity may begin.