Spain

A new dating trend is causing chaos in supermarkets in Spain. The "upside down pineapple in a shopping cart" is becoming a craze on social media and involves being at a supermarket at a set hour. 

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In Bilbao, Spain, a flash mob swarmed a Mercadona store and the staff had to call the police to control the crowd. Similar scenes are taking over other stores in the country as well.

The "upside down pineapple in shopping cart" is a dating trend which isn't exactly new. However, it has become popular in Spain now. Those looking to meet a romantic interest or simply for a "hook up" are required to reach a Mercadona store between 7 and 8 pm. They should then pick up a pineapple and place it upside down in their trolley.

Then the person needs to move to the wine aisle next. More such people will be present there with pineapples placed in an upside-down position. If they like someone, they bump their trolley with theirs. In case the other person is interested, they do the same and a conversation begins.

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The dating trend is not limited to just pineapples. Other items can be used to indicate different levels of interest. Adding fresh items hints at a desire for shorter flings, and non-perishable items mean one is looking for a long-term or serious relationship. 

Also Read: Dating trend boysober, or mansober, happened because of one basic human need

According to the Spain-based English-language news website, Olive Press, the presence of legumes or lettuce in a trolley means one is looking for a more casual relationship.

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Reports suggest that staff at the store are coming up with ways to keep the romance seekers at bay. A social media video shows a worker taking a cart full of pineapples to the warehouse from 7 to 8 pm to keep such people at bay. 

What does an upside-down pineapple mean?

Turning a pineapple upside down is not a new trend. It has been in use for some time for something more than just dating - Swinging.

Apparently, an upside-down pineapple is a sign used by swingers to recognise other interested parties in public. If someone is sporting the sign on your phone, bag, car or anywhere else, it means that one is interested in "swinging."

According to Dictionary.com, a swinger is "a person who engages in the exchanging of spouses for sexual activities."