Spanish Supermarket Shoppers Find Romance Through Viral Fruit Craze

A new social media trend has emerged in Spain, sparking excitement and some chaos as singletons flock to supermarkets in search of love, Sky News reported. The trend, popularized on TikTok, encourages individuals to visit branches of the Mercadona supermarket chain between 7 pm and 8 pm, placing an upside-down pineapple in their trolley as a signal they are looking for a partner. The phenomenon has even led to police intervention due to overcrowded stores in cities like Bilbao, where singles have overwhelmed the staff and the premises.

#### Mechanism of the TrendParticipants are instructed to take their trolleys, complete with an upside-down pineapple, to the wine aisle, where they look for others with the same fruit position. They signify interest by bumping their trolley against the potential partner's trolley. If the feeling is mutual, they can either return the bump or start a conversation immediately. Various clues about a person's intentions can also be derived from other items in their trolley; chocolates or sweets suggest a desire for a serious relationship, while items like lettuce or legumes indicate a preference for something casual.

Actor and humorist Vivy Lin is credited with popularizing the trend through a viral TikTok video in which she humorously navigated a Mercadona store, explaining the rules and timing for the matchmaking event. Her video contributed significantly to the viral status of the trend, resulting in many singles participating and sharing their experiences online.

The craze has gained substantial traction, causing pineapples to become scarce in some stores. Responding to the trend, Mercadona's official TikTok account acknowledged its presence by posting an image of a pineapple with the playful caption, "The pineapple on the shelf of Mercadona waiting for you to get a date." Additionally, rival supermarket chain Lidl has joined the dating game with its own initiative, encouraging customers to visit their stores between 6 pm and 7 pm with a watermelon to signal their search for love.

Earlier, SSP wrote that a video of a man bumping into the door on a bike went viral.