The pineapple-based meet-cute craze seems to have been sparked by TikToker Vivy Lin, who posted a now-viral video on August 20 wherein she joked that 'The time to hook up in Mercadona is 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.' This sparked a flurry of activity in stores, leading many shoppers looking for love to congregate in the produce aisle.
In an era wherein Gen Zers and millennials are going to extreme lengths to avoid online dating, such as joining running clubs, the Spanish pineapple trend exemplifies their desire to engage socially and personally in creative, new ways.
The pineapple's symbolic roots, initially representing excessive wealth and indulgence, gradually evolved to symbolize interest in casual hookups, particularly popularized through American cruise culture, ultimately creating a new avenue for connection among the youth.
As participants walk the aisles of Mercadona with their upside-down pineapples, they embrace a gathering that speaks to a collective effort to break away from digital dating norms, using humor and creativity to express romantic intentions.
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