As dating apps lose appeal and direct approaches become rare, some single women in Midtown Manhattan have turned to a bizarre tactic: stealing men’s lunches at popular spots, then using the order names to find and message them on LinkedIn.
TikTok user Nicole Or shared this unusual trend, saying women apologize for taking the salad and offer to replace it as a way to start a conversation.
Many singles say meeting strangers face-to-face is a “lost art” they wish would return—but fear of coming off as creepy keeps about 45% of young men from approaching women in person.
Dating experts note that 53% of men avoid interaction because they worry about being perceived as creepy.
The key difference lies in intentions: respectful, honest flirtation is welcomed, while objectifying or secretive behavior is off-putting.
While this new lunch-stealing strategy is unconventional—and possibly unhealthy—people still crave genuine, respectful connection in today’s challenging dating scene.
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