The stock photo that became one of the most versatile meme templates on the internet.
Original photo: Antonio Guillem, 2015 (stock photo series "Disloyal man with girlfriend")
Went viral: Summer 2017
Format: Three labels — boyfriend (you/the person), girlfriend (current thing), attractive stranger (new shiny thing)
Type: Distraction / temptation / attention comparison
Spanish photographer Antonio Guillem shot the "Disloyal man with his girlfriend looking at another girl" stock photo series in 2015. The photos were originally intended as generic stock imagery about relationship issues, available for purchase on iStock. Nobody expected them to become meme royalty.
The series showed a couple walking, with the man turning to look at another woman, while his girlfriend reacts with dismay. The composition was perfect for labeling: three clearly defined subjects in one frame, each with their own emotional expression.
In summer 2017, Twitter user @Rude_Ass_Bastard posted the image labeled "Me" (boyfriend), "My Girlfriend" (girlfriend), and "Any Video Game" (attractive woman). The format instantly clicked with people because it captured a universal feeling: being distracted from your current obligation by something more appealing.
The meme spread at extraordinary speed, spawning thousands of variations within days. People labeled it with everything from "me / doing homework / YouTube" to political commentary and technology preferences. It was so versatile that it seemed applicable to literally any situation involving distraction.
Boyfriend label: Me
Girlfriend label: The crossword I was almost done with
Attractive stranger label: Starting a NEW crossword instead
— Every puzzle enthusiast on a Sunday morning
Boyfriend: Me playing Wordle
Girlfriend: Going to bed on time
Attractive stranger: Playing just one more word game
— Word game addiction is real
Boyfriend: My vocabulary
Girlfriend: Normal words I already know
Attractive stranger: Obscure 2-letter Scrabble words worth 40 points
— Scrabble players will understand
Explore more classic memes at Drake Meme and Surprised Pikachu.