Bilbao: The new generation is moving away from dating apps and turning to old-school methods to find love. In Spain, a viral trend is revolutionizing the way single Spaniards meet potential partners: the grocery store.

The ‘upside-down pineapple’ has become a symbol for single people in Spanish supermarkets. This unconventional sign indicates to others that a person is open to initiate a conversation, helping to ease the awkwardness often associated with meeting new people.

According to Spain-based news website Olive Press, people are encouraged to head to the wine aisle to look for others with a pineapple in the same position. If someone is interested, they can bump their trolley against the other person’s, signaling a desire to chat. If the feeling is mutual, the other person might bump back or start a conversation. Many people have shared their experiences on social media.

Other items in a shopping cart can convey different messages: chocolates or sweets suggest a desire for a long-term relationship, while legumes or lettuce indicate a preference for something more casual.

Aashmeen Munjaal, an ontologist and mental health and relationship expert, told a leading English daily, “The digital mindset of expressing interest through subtle signs like likes and follows transfers into real-world scenarios, making indirect signals, like the upside-down pineapple, appealing for those hesitant about face-to-face approaches.”

The method gained popularity quickly after appearing on TikTok, as it offers a non-intrusive way to express interest, especially for introverted individuals.

However, the trend also led to some unintended consequences. According to reports, police were called to a Mercadona branch in Bilbao between 7 pm and 8 pm after a large crowd of hopeful singles overwhelmed the store. The crowd dispersed only when officers arrived to manage the situation, though no arrests were made.