Remember that scene in Mean Girls when Cady moved from Africa to the midwest and felt like a fish out of water at her new school? Or the iconic scene from the movie when she met Regina George for the first time, and it’s clear she had no clue what was in store? Whether you were also the “new kid” once or you recently started a new job and are still learning the ropes, we can all relate to the feeling of being a beginner in some way. In the “Are You New Here” TikTok trend, creators are using an amusing trending sound to joke about a time when their friend or family member was “new” at something — or, an awkward moment when they simply didn’t get the memo.
Like many viral TikTok trends, there are many ways to interpret “Are You New Here,” however, the goal is to be as funny and silly as possible. In the original video, which was posted by creator @angelacooley5, two friends are acting out a scene that feels like it’s straight from an old Disney Channel movie. In the video, a girl walks into a room and asks, “Are you new here?” Her eyeliner is dark and heavy and her demeanor screams middle school vibes, as many TikTokers have been quick to point out in the comments section. Her friend, who appears to be the one recording, says, “Yeah,” followed by the other girl rolling her eyes, snapping her fingers, spinning around, and dramatically exiting the room. Behind the camera, her friend giggles hysterically, which makes the entire ordeal that much more entertaining.
Now, TikTokers are using the soundbite — and ridiculous “choreography” from the video — to joke about moments when their friends were also “new here,” whether they clearly missed a memo or didn’t understand the law of the land. For example, did your bestie just order gin and tonic at brunch instead of a mimosa? Are your friends from Los Angeles still waiting at the crosswalk in New York City after you repeatedly explained that this is not how things work? Did your friend really just pick up two items during your trip to Target and say she’s ready to leave? Clearly, everyone must be new here.
What’s fantastic about this TikTok trend is that the soundbite is short, sweet, and silly, leaving lots of room for creativity. Plus, all over the app, creators are using the “Are You New Here” trend as an opportunity to let loose, exercise humor, and call out their friends — who are also hilariously in on the joke. Notably, many versions have to do with food and beverages; like this version from @ashleys39_, who says, “When your friends don’t understand that the only correct order at Chili’s is honey-chipotle crispers and $5 margs.” TikToker @thenitrobar is suddenly over it when she realizes the new barista doesn’t know her order by heart, and @willsedders jokingly scoffs when a customer orders a “medium” sized drink at Starbucks. (I particularly appreciate how this is countered by @kamille.wrld’s example, where a customer asks for a “venti” at Dunkin Donuts). Even worse: TikToker @pok_eman’s friend just ate sushi with a fork, and I’d have to agree with her brilliant caption, which reads: “Jail…immediately.”
Whether your bestie just moved to NYC but has never owned a MetroCard or your partner just came back from vacay in the U.K. and can’t stop calling fries “chips,” the “Are You New Here” TikTok trend presents the perfect opportunity to call out your newbie friends — with love and lighthearted humor, of course. Any stellar TikTok trend will have a catchy soundbite and relatable moment to tap into, and I love how this trend does exactly that. For instance, have you ever been at a party and hinted to your friend that you’re “going to the bathroom” but they respond, “I don’t need to pee”? Or when you gently nudge them under the table and they respond, “Why’d you kick me?” In all seriousness, these people drive me bananas. Are you new here?!
To try the “Are You New Here” TikTok trend, all you need to do is save the trending soundbite here and think of a time when someone was a total newbie, missed the memo, or simply wasn’t playing along. Maybe your brother failed to get the memo about matching pajamas during Christmas, or your sister wore Doc Martens on the family hike (I promise, they aren’t as comfortable as you think). Maybe your sibling doesn’t want to go to the store with you even though you clearly want her to come, or your cousin’s boyfriend shows up over the holidays and thinks he can be the center of attention. No matter what your situation, tap into a funny moment when someone was clearly “new” in a particular space, and make your own version of “Are You New Here.” Lip-sync to the dialogue in the original audio, and major bonus points if you can grab your newbie friend to act things out with you. After all, being a newbie can be awkward, so why not make a funny TikTok about it while they figure things out?