If you’re single in Spain then you need to know about a new trend that’s sweeping the nation – and it doesn’t involve swiping right!
It’s time to put those depressing dating apps to one side and turn your next supermarket shop into an opportunity to meet new people instead.
It might sound a little bizarre, but single people in Spain are adding an upside down pineapple to their trolley or shopping basket as a sign that they’re ready to mingle, and ready for a little flirting!
Like many modern trends, this one started on social media. It sees single youngsters (and some not so youngsters) flock to branches of well-known supermarket chain Mercadona between 7pm and 8pm on any night hoping to find someone who takes their fancy as they stroll down the aisles.
Why A Pineapple?
The upside down pineapple craze was inspired by an online dating game. You simply pick up a pineapple and hold it upside down, then head to the wine aisle to wait for other singletons and see if there’s anyone you’d like to get to know!
If you see someone who is also carrying an upside-down pineapple (or with one in their trolley) you just bump your trolley into theirs. It’s like swiping right on a well known dating app, but in real life!
This isn’t the first time that pineapples have been a symbol of more than just a fruity snack! The exotic fruit, which is said to include the testosterone-boosting enzyme bromelain, has been used in the US as a coded message that a person is a swinger or looking for a swingers’ party.
Are There Any Other Supermarket Symbols You Should Know About?
As often happens with new trends and crazes, the upside down pineapple trend has quickly evolved. If you have sweets and chocolate in your basket then this is a sign that you’re open to a fling whilst a basket packed with veggies indicates you’re looking for a log term relationship.
This is sure to get confusing: I often have a basket full of veggies and chocolate while walking down the wine aisle, and it’s just a sign that I'm a burnt out mum!
How Popular Is This New Craze?
According to the users of TikTok, which is where this craze originated, hundreds of Spaniards have already participated in what is being termed ‘pineapple dating’
The craze was fuelled by a contestant on the reality show First Dates, who confessed she used to head to the supermarket to look for love. Now hundreds of young Spaniards are joining the throngs heading to their nearest supermarket to find love. And some Mercadona supermarkets are finding their wine sections jam packed each evening!
Social media users have also posted images displaying upside-down pineapples in their trolleys in some of the chain’s roughly 1,600 stores.
This is another sign that social media users and younger daters would rather meet someone new in real life than on souless dating apps. And if you’re married but you like pineapple in your fruit salad? Just be careful how you put it in your shopping cart!
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