What is the pineapple tradition in BJJ?

The pineapple tradition has its roots in Brazilian culture where the fruit is associated with warmth and welcoming. In BJJ, bringing a pineapple when you join a new gym shows respect to the instructor and the academy community. Some gyms display the pineapples they receive and take the tradition seriously, while others do not follow it at all. It has become somewhat of a running joke in the BJJ community, with memes and references appearing frequently on social media. If you are unsure whether your gym observes the tradition, simply asking is perfectly fine. Whether or not you bring a pineapple, what matters most is showing up consistently, training hard, and being a good training partner.