The Sweetgreen “Heist” and Desi Dating: Why Singles Are Ditching Apps for Creative Meet-Cutes
Photos: Cozine/Adobe Stock; Alina Kay/Adobe Stock
It’s no secret that many young people are tired of apps. A FastCompany article quotes a viral TikTok claiming some single women in Manhattan routinely snag unsuspecting guys’ Sweetgreen orders, then slide into their LinkedIn DMs with a cheeky apology. The post’s caption grimly declares, “It’s rough out here.” Indeed, one recent survey found over 75% of Gen Zers report dating-app burnout. Between endless swiping and ghosting, dating apps can feel like a grind. As one Business Insider report notes, “more young singles are willing to take [risks in person] as they grow increasingly frustrated with swiping through strangers on dating apps”. Rather than hoping for a match on Hinge or Bumble, many are preferring genuine IRL connections – like finding romance at work or through friends. In fact, with bars rarely packed and people working from home less, the old-fashioned “proximity principle” is kicking in: we’re meeting people where we spend most of our days, whether that’s the office or a gym class.
Dating App Fatigue and the Rise of the Office Romance
Surveys confirm the shift: younger workers are open to office dating. Nearly half of people under 30 say they’ve tried dating a coworker since returning to the office. With so many “Zoom-stale” chat rooms out there, the idea of a lunch or water-cooler crush is starting to sound romantic again. Apps are even trying to force the issue: new features on Tinder and other platforms encourage “double dates” and in-person meetups to shake users off the endless text loop. The goal is clear – nudge users out of screen time and into real life to fight “dating fatigue,” a term tech columnists love to use now.
For South Asian singles, this will sound familiar. We come from a culture where matchmakers used to arrange in-person meetings – so in a way, marrying modern tech with old values isn’t new. What has changed is that apps promised an easier route and then flopped: endless chatting that goes nowhere, profiles that mislead, and more loneliness. One study found almost half of young men have never mustered the courage to make the first move in person, often paralyzed by fear of rejection. So instead, some of the women have taken matters into their own hands (literally) – hence the salad scheme.
The Sweetgreen Stunt: Desperate or Ingenious?
Is this crazy or clever? TikTok is divided. On one hand, it’s a bit of harmless fun – a meet-cute in the digital age. On the other, it’s pretty petty theft to swipe someone’s lunch, and Sweetgreen’s social media team groaned about how it “ruin[s] our customer experience”. The chain’s official TikTok account even commented, “Guys please, this is really stressing me out”. So yes, there’s a fine line: the trend is certainly a sign of how frustrated singles are, but it’s not the most ethical ice-breaker.
That said, it highlights two key things our Desi audience will relate to:
Career and Stability Matter. Notice how the victims are often “finance bros” – young men with high-powered jobs. These ladies aren’t just randomly picking salad lovers; they’re targeting guys in good careers. In many South Asian families, a potential match’s career and education are practically deal-breakers. We’ve been “checking the resume” of our suitors for generations (usually behind our parents’ backs). Using LinkedIn is basically doing the same thing digitally: before you even meet, you can see someone’s work history and gauge if they’re marriage-material. That’s important in our culture.
Creativity (and Commitment). The stunt shows someone willing to go to extreme – ok, even bizarre – lengths to meet a partner. It’s cute in that “Love at First Bite” way, but it also signals how committed and creative singles are getting. Our community might call it “totka love,” but look: if you can fact-check a guy on LinkedIn, you get a head start on knowing if he respects his job, his family, and himself. Just imagine: in 2000s Bollywood, this might have been a comic sequence in an office, not a TikTok trend.
In other words, these women are essentially doing the digital equivalent of asking relatives about a potential match. They want details – alma mater, job title, company – before deciding to go on a date. That pragmatic approach isn’t too far from Desi values (where background checks run deep). We’d just advise: there are less shady ways to vet someone (ask around in your network, swap stories, even use custom desi matrimonial sites if that’s your comfort zone).
Tips for South Asian Singles – Beyond the Salad Trick
Instead of pulling a Sweetgreen stunt, here are some game-changing, ethical meet-cute ideas and tips for our crowd:
Tap Your Desi Network. Remember old-school matchmaking? It’s making a comeback! Tell your friends, cousins, or community leaders you’re on the lookout. Family gatherings, weddings, temple events or Diwali parties are natural spots to casually meet people. As one Insider piece points out, “with dating app burnout rampant… it’s time to take matters into our own hands with good old-fashioned matchmaking and setting up our friends”. Think of it as crowdsourcing Cupid.
Head to the Right Places. If you’re working in the same building (or even in town), join interest clubs or volunteer projects that attract fellow professionals. Maybe a lunchtime run club or office yoga session. If a coworker or fellow classmate seems interesting, just say hi (no salad swiping needed!). For example, you could ask to share a lunch table or comment on the book someone’s reading. South Asian cafes, foodie meetups, or cooking classes can also connect you with like-minded singles. Many of these opportunities were nonexistent just a few years ago.
Be Straightforward (with Charm). If you accidentally do grab the wrong order, just own up to it right away (instead of plotting a social media ambush). Walk up and say, “Hey, I think I took the wrong salad – I work in the building next door. My bad!” That honesty is refreshing. Say a bit about yourself and why you’d love to replace it. You’ll look much classier than a surprise DM. Guys generally respect a woman who’s bold and kind – just don’t lie about the salad being “technically hers”!
Leverage Social Media Smartly. Feel free to look someone up on LinkedIn or Facebook after meeting in passing (we do live in a digital world). But turn it into a conversation starter, not a courtroom evidence file. For instance, if you learn a guy works at Goldman in the tech team, you could say, “Oh cool, I’ve heard that is a great company,” and ask about his job. It shows you’re interested in more than just his looks. This way, you maintain personal warmth while gathering intel.
Balance Heart and Mind. Desi culture reminds us that family, career and values are important – and they are. But don’t forget chemistry! Before requesting that LinkedIn connection, take a breath: could you start with a normal chat? One middle ground: bring a friend with you to an event where that guy might be (brunch buffet, singles meet-up, workout class). A mutual connection can introduce you, which avoids the “stalk and DM” vibe.
Join Our Singles Community (No App Required!). Want to skip the trickery? Join Single to Shaadi’s database and be a part of our community for singles who want real connections. We host events, discussion groups, and mixers specifically for South Asian professionals. (Yes, we’re hinting here!) Think of it as your tribe – no apps needed. As the experts at Business Insider note, people are craving any way to meet offline outside bars. We’ve got your back with fun meet-ups and advice. Instead of jacking up someone’s lunch, share yours at a Single Chat potluck and meet eligible guys who are excited to talk with you!
The bottom line: It’s true dating is tough right now, so many of these creative stunts reflect genuine frustration. But you don’t need to steal lunches to make your move (literally!). Even in NYC, our Desi values hold: be honest, be bold, and involve your community. Approach interesting people with a smile and (if appropriate) a nod to their hard work and career. In many ways, we’re already culturally wired to value education, career, and family background – so it’s cool that today’s singles are doing a quick LinkedIn check.
That said, let’s ditch the petty theft plan. The next time you see a cute coworker, strike up a genuine conversation instead of plotting a food heist. Trust us – we have plenty of better tactics and tips (and a community!) to help you meet your match. Dating app fatigue is real, but between old-fashioned matchmaking and the right IRL opportunities, we can beat it together. No stole salads required.
