A social media craze in Spain where people are encouraged to seek out prospective partners in supermarkets with the help of pineapples has led to some chaotic scenes.
In the city of Bilbao, northern Spain, police were reportedly called by workers after a flash mob of hopeful singles packed a Mercadona store and “overwhelmed” it.
The crowd quickly dispersed when officers arrived, and no one was arrested in the incident.
Singletons have been drawn to branches of the supermarket chain, where it is claimed they can find romance if they visit between 7pm and 8pm and put a pineapple upside down in their trolley.
People are then encouraged to go to the wine aisle to find others with the same fruit in the same position.
If they like someone, they bump their trolley against theirs, indicating they are interested in chatting to them.
If the feeling is mutual, they can bump back, or just start talking, according to the Spain-based English-language news website, Olive Press.
Some who have been caught up in the TikTok craze have even posted videos of their experiences.
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According to the publication, other items in someone’s trolley provide clues about their intentions.
For example, if someone spots chocolates or sweets, it means the other person is looking for long-term relationships or something more serious.
But a legume or lettuce means they are looking for something more casual, according to the publication.
On its official TikTok account, the supermarket chain has addressed the craze, posting a pineapple with the caption: “The pineapple on the shelf of Mercadona waiting for you to get a date.”
The craze has gained so much traction that pineapples have apparently become scarce in some stores.
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Meanwhile, Lidl has reportedly joined the dating game by launching its own campaign to encourage customers to do the same in its stores – but with a watermelon rather than a pineapple.
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According to surinenglish.com, Lidl has sent a message to all its customers in Spain entitled: “La hora del amor” (the hour of love).
It went on to say, “In this mass mailing, the company invites their customers who are looking for love to come between 6pm and 7pm with a watermelon in your trolley” as a sign that they are looking for a partner.
