What is the orange peel theory? Trending relationship test explained

True love carries a different meaning in every relationship, whether that’s making each other laugh, similar interests, or thoughtful gestures. But a recent TikTok trend has got people talking about how peeling oranges could be the unexpected sign that you’re really in love.

Many TikTokers are discussing the concept of “orange peel theory,” which consists of small gestures which display unwavering affection and make your partner’s life easier. You might be wondering where the name comes from, and what fruit has to do with love. But consider this, if you enjoy the citrus taste of oranges but hate peeling them, then wouldn’t it be great if someone peeled that orange for you instead?

The theory suggests that if you ask your partner to peel an orange for you and they do it without questioning why, that’s a small act of service which displays their unwavering love and support. One person who was captivated by this theory is Kiersten Weed, 21, from Washington, D.C., who told Newsweek that these tiny gestures show “one of the deepest forms of love.”

Upon seeing the videos online, Weed was instantly reminded of the caring gestures that her boyfriend, Giuseppe Brown, 23, does for her. “Life can be tough sometimes and having a partner who wants to help make the little things better is such a special feeling,” she said.

The TikTok hashtag (#orangepeeltheory) has already generated over 38 million views, encouraging many people to reflect on their own relationships and consider what the concept means for them. The trend resonated so much with Weed that she also shared her own video explaining what Brown does for her, as she firmly believes that “it’s a good sign of a healthy relationship.”

The simple but significant gestures could be making a coffee first thing in the morning, or putting the kids to bed so you don’t have to—they’re things you could easily do yourself, but it’s deeply appreciated when someone does it for you.

“The point of the theory is the thought behind these actions, doing things for another person just because you love them, without even thinking about it. It does a great job of creating a powerful metaphor for how people show their love for another person,” Weed told Newsweek.

“My boyfriend will open my car door for me, and he knows I don’t like to sleep with my makeup on, so one time I wasn’t feeling well he helped me take off my makeup and wash my face. He does the dishes or brings me medicine when I’m sick. There’s even been a couple of times when he helped brush my hair. These aren’t things I’ve ever asked him to do, it’s just how he is.”

For some people, this type of love is the epitome of romance, as a YouGov poll found that 13 percent of U.S. adults say that acts of service is their favorite way of receiving love. Although, far more popular was quality time together, with 38 percent preferring that over anything else.

What Weed hopes people will learn from orange peel theory is that it’s not about depending on a partner to do everything for you, but it’s simply about knowing they are willing to do even the most mundane task if it means helping you.

“I can peel my own oranges, open my own doors, and do my own dishes, but with a partner who loves you and wants to make your life easier, you don’t have to be so hyper-independent all the time. You can learn to trust another person to be there for you, just as you are for them,” she continued.

The notion has undoubtedly sparked a huge debate online, and it’s something that content creator Anna Birmingham Tuttle, 26, was very intrigued by.

“To be honest, I didn’t think the concept described anything super groundbreaking or profound—but in that sense, I really liked the simplicity of it,” she told Newsweek. “It describes something very simple, yet easy to take for granted. I also liked that it doesn’t necessarily require money or material items.

“In relationships, the small things make up the big things, and while your partner peeling your orange might not necessarily guarantee a happy relationship, it sure does make them feel loved and known.”

Having been with her husband, Sam Tuttle, for four years, Tuttle has always been keenly aware of his kind gestures, but the theory highlighted just how significant these acts of kindness truly are. Now, with the orange peel notion in mind, she won’t ever take his thoughtfulness for granted.

“He’s the chef in our relationship and cooks dinner every night. He always tells me that it’s therapeutic for him and that he genuinely likes doing it, but he doesn’t fool me, I know it’s still a chore. Another little thing he does is he always finds a reason to celebrate everything with a dinner reservation, no matter how small the occasion,” she said.

“Then there’s the even smaller things that only he knows, like that I’m perfectly happy eating leftovers, but don’t like taking them out of the container because seeing it makes it less appetizing to me. He anticipates this and he happily heats it up for me, even though it’s silly and I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself.”

They may only be small things, but Tuttle said that the TikTok trend made her “realize how impactful his little gestures are,” and they are pivotal in shaping their relationship. Whenever her husband does these things for her, it makes Tuttle feel seen and understood, in a way that only they can understand.

What the Californian loves most about this theory is that it resembles something totally different in every relationship or even friendships, as it doesn’t just pertain to couples. “I think no matter how the love is expressed, the mark of a strong relationship is a willingness to sacrifice for your partner,” Tuttle continued.

Don’t Measure Your Love Based on Oranges

It certainly sounds perfect, but before you go and ask your partner to peel an orange for you and see what response you’re greeted with, it’s important to remember that relationships aren’t always so simple. Dating coach Mercedes Mollett warns people not to use the orange peel theory as a barometer to measure love by. Don’t forget, there are far more complexities that factor into every relationship.

Mollett told Newsweek: “The essence of the orange peel theory lies in the mutual understanding and willingness to support each other, but it’s essential to consider the unique dynamics and preferences of a relationship too.

“If someone feels their partner isn’t meeting expectations set by the orange peel theory, it’s crucial to communicate openly. In essence, while the theory offers a simplistic view of relationships, its application shouldn’t overshadow the complexities in a relationship. Flexibility, communication, and mutual respect remain key aspects of a fulfilling connection.”

The majority of social media posts regarding the theory are wonderfully positive, but for some people it has highlighted the distinct lack of thoughtfulness in their own relationship. One Reddit user considered ending their relationship because it felt as though they were “settling for a lazy man” after seeing the theory on TikTok. So, despite the hype, it’s clear that orange peel theory shouldn’t be the measurement of the perfect relationship—is there even such a thing?

As more and more TikTok users flood the internet with their realities of orange peeling, Weed and Tuttle both add that it shouldn’t be one-sided, and it’s vital that both partners reciprocate. For Weed, that comes in the shape of giving massages to Brown and making dinner when he has to work late. While Tuttle likes to help her husband with things he might not notice himself, like getting a new hand cream when his skin’s dry, or buying his favorite shirt in a new color.

As they say, it’s the little things which go a long way.

Weed said: “While not everyone shows their love in this way, it’s such an incredible and safe feeling to be loved by someone who wants to make your life a little easier.”

Have you had any relationship problems? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

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