Last updated on December 14th, 2023 at 10:02 pm
If you want to know how much your partner really loves you, you might want to ask them to peel an orange for you. That’s the premise of the latest TikTok trend, dubbed the “orange peel theory”, which has amassed over 15 million views on the app.
The theory is based on the idea that small acts of service, such as peeling an orange, can show how much your partner cares for you and understands your needs. It’s not about the orange itself, but about the gesture of making your life easier and happier.
The trend was inspired by a viral video posted by @thingsicantsend, which showed a text conversation between two exes. One of them said they missed when the other would peel their oranges for them in the morning, because they didn’t know how to do it without making a mess. The other replied that they still loved them, but they had to move on. The video ended with a green text message, indicating that the sender had been blocked, saying “I peeled my orange today”.
Can an Orange Peel Really Reveal Feelings?
The video sparked a wave of reactions from TikTokers, who shared their own stories of how their partners passed or failed the orange peel test. Some said they asked their partners to peel their oranges for them, and got positive responses, such as “anything for you” or “of course, my love”. Others said they got negative reactions, such as eye rolls, sighs, or refusals.
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According to relationship experts, the orange peel theory is a valid way to assess your partner’s level of affection and commitment. They say that small acts of service are not only practical, but also symbolic of how much your partner values you and your relationship.
“Small acts of service are not just about the action itself but about what it represents in the relationship,” said Kate Truitt, a board-certified psychologist and applied neuroscientist. “They signal care, love and commitment, and the repetition of the act enhances the overall health and happiness of the relationship.”
Georgina Sturmer, a registered counselor at the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, said that the theory is really about “the nuts and bolts of a relationship”.
“The idea is that we are all subconsciously seeking signals from our partner to reassure us of their affection,” Sturmer said. “Signals that show us that they have an intimate knowledge of our likes and dislikes, and that they are prepared to go out of their way to make us happy.”
Of course, the orange peel theory is not the only way to measure your partner’s feelings. There are many other ways to express love, such as words, gifts, quality time, and physical touch. The important thing is to find out what your partner’s love language is, and communicate your own preferences as well.
So, the next time you want to test your partner’s love, you might want to hand them an orange and see what they do. You might be surprised by what you learn.
