The ‘secret handshake’ married people use to signal they’re looking for an affair, is YOUR partner guilty of it?
WHEN you are doing the weekly shop at the supermarket stocking up on all the essentials, you most likely don’t think twice about what goes in the trolley.
But perhaps you should, as married people seeking affairs are allegedly using bell peppers to signal they’re open to meeting lovers.
The bizarre ”bell pepper code” was suggested by one unfaithful user on the forum of extramarital dating site Illicit Encounters.
”What if we start a secret code in the most mundane place of all – THE SUPERMARKET,” the writer suggested.
”It’s perfect! No one would ever suspect that your weekly food shop could lead to something a lot more… sizzling.”
The sneaky user suggested that you put two bell peppers in your basket or trolley – but the stems have to be facing down.
”It’s like a secret handshake, but with veg,” the poster was all chuffed with their idea.
”Think about it. You’re casually browsing the aisles, and suddenly you spot someone with the telltale peppers in their basket.
”Your eyes meet. There’s a knowing glance.
”An instant connection, all thanks to a couple of peppers.”
The unusual ”handshake” idea soon caught the attention of other users – and it appeared to be a major hit, as one person declared they had ”never seen so much traffic on a topic”.
However, one person pointed out that a shopper could mistakenly be identified as a cheater if they happened to place their bell peppers upside down without any intentions and suggested that an extra step was required.
They said: ”Maybe we need to choose a specific part in the supermarket to wander off to when you’ve picked up your two peppers because otherwise it’d be too hard. Frozen aisles?”
On the site, the bizarre bell pepper signal gained a shockingly positive response from fellow members, with several cheaters saying they will ”definitely” be putting the method to test.
One said: ”This could make my food shop WAY more interesting.
”Upside down peppers it is! Definitely going to try this out.”
Four red flags your partner is cheating
Private Investigator Aaron Bond from BondRees revealed four warning signs your partner might be cheating.
They start to take their phone everywhere with them
In close relationships, it’s normal to know each other’s passwords and use each other’s phones, if their phone habits change then they may be hiding something.
Aaron says: “If your partner starts changing their passwords, starts taking their phone everywhere with them, even around the house or they become defensive when you ask to use their phone it could be a sign of them not being faithful.”
“You should also look at how they place their phone down when not in use. If they face the phone with the screen facing down, then they could be hiding something.”
They start telling you less about their day
When partners cheat they can start to avoid you, this could be down to them feeling guilty or because it makes it easier for them to lie to you.
“If you feel like your partner has suddenly begun to avoid you and they don’t want to do things with you any more or they stop telling you about their day then this is another red flag.”
“Partners often avoid their spouses or tell them less about their day because cheating can be tough, remembering all of your lies is impossible and it’s an easy way to get caught out,” says Aaron.
Their libido changes
Your partner’s libido can change for a range of reasons so it may not be a sure sign of cheating but it can be a red flag according to Aaron.
Aaron says: “Cheaters often have less sex at home because they are cheating, but on occasions, they may also have more sex at home, this is because they feel guilty and use this increase in sex to hide their cheating. You may also find that your partner will start to introduce new things into your sex life that weren’t there before.”
They become negative towards you
Cheaters know that cheating is wrong and to them, it will feel good, this can cause tension and anxiety within themselves which they will need to justify.
“To get rid of the tension they feel inside they will try to convince themselves that you are the problem and they will become critical of you out of nowhere. Maybe you haven’t walked the dog that day, put the dishes away or read a book to your children before bedtime. A small problem like this can now feel like a big deal and if you experience this your partner could be cheating,” warns Aaron.
Another agreed, commenting: ”I’d 100 per cent do this!
”Would be so funny to see people eyeing up what everyone’s got in their trollies to check if they’re looking for an affair.”
A UK-based user said: ”If I went into my local Norwich Sainsbury’s and arranged peppers in my basket whilst looking around at everyone else’s baskets, I think I’d look a bit strange and odd and would therefore probably fit right in!
”But seriously I will try this this afternoon. Wish me luck.
”Hope I don’t get taken away in a police van.”
An anonymous cheater who posts under the name MoonMoon claimed they’d already tried the ”bell pepper code” and shared positive feedback.
Reporting back to the flirt forum, MoonMoon said: ”Worked for me, kind of!
”Tesco in Beckton is the place to be… I went there on Friday night, picked up my couple of peppers and headed for the frozen aisle.
”Next to the yorkshire puds I noticed someone else with peppers in their trolley, there was a bit of an awkward smile and we spoke for a bit.
”I don’t think we we were quite right for each other but it was nice to have a chat with someone else who clearly isn’t happen in their relationship.
”I’ll keep this up! If enough people do it, we could actually be on to something here – and even if I don’t find a lover, it’s comforting to see I’m not the only one having issue at home!”
Sharing her thoughts on the discussion, spokesperson for Illicit Encounters Jessica Leoni said: ”While we normally encourage discretion in these matters, we never thought we’d see the day where people would be checking out each other’s vegetables in the supermarket – and not in the way you’d expect!
”If this catches on, I suppose we can only hope everyone’s keeping their cool in the frozen food aisle.”