psychology
How the orange peel theory helps you recognize nice people
You can test your relationship with this fruit.
© Moving Moment / Adobe Stock
You should be able to test your relationship with the help of an orange. We’ll tell you what the “orange peel theory” is all about.
To test the strength of your relationship, you need an orange. At least that’s what the so-called “orange peel theory” that is currently taking over the TikTok platform says. In the test, you ask your partner whether they can peel an orange (or a tangerine) for you – the reaction of the person you are dating is crucial. By the way: The theory can of course also be transferred to friends or family members. Or just yourself!
If the person you ask doesn’t ask prodding questions like “Why don’t you do it yourself?” or “Is it that hard?” reacts and peels the orange for you, she would probably also do other nice things for you. Peeling the fruit symbolizes small acts of kindness in everyday life. If the person you are dating passes the test, it means that they are particularly helpful and simply want to make your life a little easier – out of pure love for you and without the expectation of revenge.
Helpfulness is a language of love
The willingness to help and support is probably your partner’s so-called “love language”. According to psychologist Gary Chapman, there are five of these “Languages of love”. In the so-called “Acts of Service”, for example, your relationship person makes you tea or carries your groceries upstairs without asking. “Even if you could actually do small everyday tasks yourself, like peeling a tangerine “It’s sometimes just nice when someone else does it for you,” explains a TikTok user.
Patrice Le Goy, a Los Angeles-based marriage and family therapist, comments on the “orange peel theory” to Business Insider: “While we often think of romantic acts as grand gestures, they’re really about regular, daily interactions with our partner that make us feel close to him and cared for by him.” Especially if it’s something that your partner knows you don’t like doing, a small amount of attention can make a big difference.
The “orange peel theory” is not without flaws
Like almost every trend that comes from social media, the “orange peel theory” is of course not the measure of all things. It can just be a door opener to find out whether the values of both partners in a relationship match. “This bar is pretty low and we need to have a higher standard than asking our partner to peel an orange for us. That has nothing to do with the health of the relationship,” criticizes relationship coach Amy Nobile in an article by ” Business Insider”.
According to the expert, it is also important to be able to say “no” to requests from the person in your relationship and to set healthy boundaries. If people constantly feel like they have to put the other person’s needs ahead of their own, it could be a sign that they don’t feel equal in the relationship.
A nice way of showing appreciation
So it depends on the frequency of the small actions. If you no longer refuse your partner’s requests, you can quickly run the risk of being taken advantage of or having to unintentionally put your own needs aside. However, relieving your loved one of a few simple everyday tasks can be a friendly gesture that shows appreciation. Especially if you know that the person you’re dating is reluctant to do something – and you don’t mind the task – your support is a nice way to show your care for them. Whether that’s driving the car to the car wash or peeling an orange.
Sources used: tiktok.com, businessinsider.com