Laurence Dollimore
IT’S been days since the trend of looking for love in Mercadona first began appearing online.
It has now exploded into a social media craze, with scores of influencers and everyday people heading to Spain’s favourite supermarket for a chance to find romance.
So how does it work?
The time for the so-called ‘Hacendado Tinder’ is between 7pm and 8pm.
Anyone wanting to take part must place a series of products in their trolley to let fellow love-seekers know of their intentions.
The first step is placing a pineapple upside down in one of the two corners of your cart that are closest to you.
Then head to the wine aisle to find others with upside down pineapples.
If one of them takes your fancy, then bump your trolley against theirs, indicating that you’d like to chat with them. If the feeling is mutual, they can bump back, or just start talking.
But beware, other items placed in someone’s trolley will provide other clues of their intentions.
For example, if you see chocolates or sweets, that means they are looking for long term relationships or something more serious.
But of you see legumes or lettuce, this means they are looking for something more casual.
Additionally, carrying keys in your hand and making them jingle is another sign you are taking part in the trend.
Another signal that someone likes you is if they place a jar of gazpacho in your trolley ‘by accident’.
