Forget rooftop bars or joining a run club, there’s a new, unexpected place to find romance: the supermarket. It’s not just our imagination; apparently, people are strategically heading to the grocery store at specific times, hoping to snag a date amidst the aisles. This trend, dubbed ‘Mercatinder,’ seems to have originated in Spain, fueled by a viral video shared by Spanish TV personality Vivy Lin. In the video, which has garnered over 1.6 million views, Vivy and a friend discuss the optimal time to flirt in Mercadona, a popular Spanish supermarket chain.
After a quick online search, they discover that 7pm to 8pm is prime time for supermarket romance. Vivy explains, “There are people here who have been walking around for a while… and their carts are empty. They’re not even pretending to shop.” The video sparked a wave of comments, with viewers agreeing and suggesting other Spanish supermarkets with designated flirting hours. One commenter even claimed that Corte Ingles is best for lunchtime flirtations, while Lidl’s sweet spot is between 6pm and 7pm.
But the supermarket dating game goes beyond just timing. Some claim that secret messages can be sent using shopping basket items. Content creator Nacho Pla reveals a code that involves using an upside-down pineapple to signal availability. This code, long associated with the swinging scene, has been subtly used to indicate sexual preferences. Nacho even approaches a fellow shopper to see if her upside-down pineapple is a real signal. “Well, to see what happens,” she replies. “I can see some good looking guys.”
Nacho continues, suggesting other grocery items can convey dating intentions: lettuce for a one-night stand, lentils for a long-term relationship, and oil for someone with a healthy bank balance. And if you want to be bold, he recommends bumping your cart into your desired target’s cart.
While the trend of supermarket dating is currently having its moment online, it seems that this type of coded communication has been around for a while. Reddit discussions from years ago mention a ‘single banana’ as a symbol of being single. Others claim that having bananas on top of your shopping cart signals openness to a threesome, while some suggest a specific code for the LGBTQ+ community: a banana upright indicates a ‘top,’ while a banana with the tips down signifies a ‘bottom.’
Here’s a breakdown of the alleged supermarket singles code:
*
Upright Bananas:
You’re single and ready to mingle.*
Bananas with the Tips Down:
You’re not looking for sex today.*
A Pineapple the Right Way Around:
You’re a woman interested in finding a man.*
An Upside-Down Pineapple:
You’re a swinger looking for a couple.*
Putting a Peach in Someone’s Trolley:
You’re basically flirting.*
Lettuce:
You’re looking for a one-night stand.*
Lentils:
You want something long-term.*
Oil:
You want a partner with a healthy bank balance.While it’s tempting to imagine meeting your soulmate in the produce aisle, according to YouGov, only 15% of people have met their current or most recent partners by chance while ‘out and about.’ This includes a wide range of activities, making the probability of finding love in the supermarket much smaller.
So, while giving ‘Mercatinder’ a try might be fun, don’t put all your eggs – or fruit – in one basket. It’s likely that not everyone will be aware of this secret code. Perhaps, using your words to start a conversation is a more reliable approach. After all, the best relationships often begin with genuine connection, not with a strategically placed pineapple.
