Fed up with endless swiping on dating apps, some singles in Spain are turning to a nostalgic method of finding romance: shopping with an exotic fruit. This unique approach, gaining popularity on TikTok, involves heading to a local grocery store, such as Mercadona, between 7 and 8 p.m. with an upside-down pineapple in the cart. This trend reflects a growing disillusionment with online dating, similar to the revival of speed dating events in the U.S., as noted by the Washington Post.
Gustavo Contreras, a 28-year-old waiter from Malaga, expressed, “Apps have become monotonous, and people are looking for something different. Meeting someone face-to-face is more meaningful than just swiping through photos.”
Spanish comedian Vivy Lin recently highlighted the 7 to 8 p.m. timeframe as the best for finding a romantic interest at Mercadona. Despite this, Contreras, who visited his local store twice last week with an upside-down pineapple, had no luck finding a match. “The first time, I noticed a few knowing glances, but nothing more,” he shared. On his second visit, he found no pineapples available, attributing this to the trend’s rising popularity.
Similarly, Barcelona resident Fan tried the pineapple tactic at Mercadona near the Sagrada Familia but did not meet anyone. “Honestly, I was the only one with a pineapple at that time,” he laughed. He believes this method is appealing in Spain because people are tired of the repetitive nature of dating apps. “In dating apps like Tinder, you might match and chat but never meet in person. In the supermarket, you can talk face-to-face,” he explained.
The pineapple method reflects a growing dissatisfaction with dating apps, as people seek more genuine, face-to-face interactions. Users are increasingly frustrated with the apps due to new pricing models and algorithms that detract from the overall experience. There are also rising concerns about interacting with AI chatbots rather than real people.
Earlier this year, six users of dating apps filed a class-action lawsuit against Match Group, which owns Tinder, Hinge, and other platforms. They accused the company of creating apps designed to keep users swiping rather than facilitating real connections. Match Group dismissed the lawsuit as “ridiculous” and emphasized their efforts to transition users from online interactions to real-life dates.