Dating apps feel dead, DMs come off as creepy, and fewer people approach strangers in real life, especially in NYC’s tough dating scene. In response, some single women are reportedly resorting to stealing men’s lunches in Midtown Manhattan to spark connections. TikTok creator Nicole Or claimed women swipe men’s salads and then message them on LinkedIn to “apologize” and offer to replace the meal, a sneaky way to start talking. She laments that it shouldn’t have to come to this, wishing people could just meet in bars instead. While there’s no direct evidence women are widely using this lunch-snatching tactic, surveys show many men avoid approaching women because they fear being labeled creepy: 53% say this fear holds them back. Dating experts suggest men should be direct and respectful to avoid coming off as creepy, as most people still do want to be approached, just not in a weird way. Ultimately, even amid bizarre trends like lunch theft, the “lost art” of in-person flirting is something many singles wish would make a comeback. 📰: @nypost