Viral: What is ‘Wednesday Waffle’ trend and why is it popular?
Australian Instagram user Zachary Perez and friends began this tradition around 2020
Dubai: There’s a new trend that's going viral on social media called the ‘Wednesday Waffle’. Zachary Perez, a 40-year-old Australian Instagram user, apparently started the trend, which is a unique way of keeping in touch with a select group of friends through a weekly video life update.
In a post from October 23 on Instagram, which has now gone viral with over ten million views, Perez is seen explaining the term ‘Wednesday Waffle’ where he and his three close friends, share weekly video life updates with each other, as a way to keep in touch and know how the other person is doing.
‘Waffle’ in Australia is a slang and used as a verb, to mean talking at length without a clear intention, according to American weekly news magazine, Newsweek.
In an interview with Newsweek, Perez mentioned the idea began during the COVID-19 pandemic where his friends and he began with an album or music club, which later on turned to videos once a week as they found it difficult to schedule a weekly time that worked for everyone.
In the video, Perez said his partner was blown away with the idea.
"She just thought it was such a great thing for friends to do to stay connected,” he said in the video.
“I’ve been taking it for granted, but it is such a good thing. And I look forward to their video every Wednesday,” he added.
Netizens began tagging their friends in the comments section of the video, saying they needed to start doing this.
Popular British singer, Calum Scott, commented on the video saying: “Love this bro. Simple but like you said, such an amazing way to stay connected. Long live the waffle.”
Many others agreed that this was a great way to maintain friendships while dealing with busy schedules.
Psychological research suggests that stable, healthy friendships are crucial for our well-being and longevity.
According to a research report published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 177 in November 2020: "People who have friends and close confidants are more satisfied with their lives and less likely to suffer from depression."
Another comment read, “This is so incredibly important – men need a yap too.” To which Perez replied, “we do need a good yap.”