What Is The 'Orange Peel Theory'? The Viral TikTok Relationship Test Explained

There is always a relationship trend or theory going viral on social media that makes people test the strength of their partnership. Some recent trends like "Name a Woman," "The Forest Question" or the ""You Can Count on Me Challenge"" all gathered millions of people all over the world to put their relationship on the line for the sake of a social media trend.

The most recent one already has 111 million views accumulated on its hashtag on TikTok. So let's talk about the "Orange Peel Theory" and what you need to join the relationship trend.

What Is The 'Orange Peel Theory'?

First off, the test is not about the "orange" but more about observing your partner's reaction to a "favor." As the TikToker @annabhamm explained in the video below, "it’s about the other person’s willingness to perform small acts of service."

@annabhamm the orange peel theory explained🍊👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏼 #relationships #orangepeeltheory #relationshiptips #greenflags #bidsforattention #healthylove #relationshipadvice ♬ Dream Away – Ramol

The "Orange Peel Theory" refers to a relationship test popularized on TikTok after the "I Peeled My Orange Today" slideshow, which focuses on asking a partner to peel an orange and watching how they react to the request. The idea is that small acts of service are not just about the action itself but about what it represents in the relationship.

The TikToker @neanotmia was one of the earliest people to comment about the theory in a video posted on November 11th, 2023. In the video (shown below), she explains the theory tests how much you can trust your partner by seeing how they react to you asking for them to peel an orange, which could be considered a small task you could easily do yourself, but you are asking for a favor on their part. The post amassed over 2.2 million plays and 205,000 likes in three months.

@neanotmia

Feelings

♬ We'll Never Have Sex – Leith Ross

What Are People's Opinions About The 'Orange Peel Theory'?

The relationship trend was quickly picked up by couples eagerly wanting to test their partner's reaction to the orange peel theory, like TikToker user @shelbyywilfongm who shared a video doing the test with her boyfriend (shown below, left) that quickly amassed over 16 million plays and 2 million likes in two days. Her video inspired other users to test the theory, like TikTok user @kyleandjade_, who tried the relationship theory with her husband on January 15th (shown below, right).

@shelbyywilfong failed attempt. #fyp ♬ original sound – shelby

@kyleandjade_ He’s a walking green flag 🥹 #fyp #orangepeeltheory ♬ Ylang Ylang – 𝓒 𝓸 𝓸 𝓧 𝓲 𝓷 𝓱 ♫

How To Join The 'Orange Peel Theory' Trend?

Relationships experts actually don't want you to use this viral TikTok relationship test, as they said in an article for CNBC on December 7th, 2023.

Rachel DeAlto, relationship and communication expert at Match Group and The League, told the website “It’s not a red flag if your partner doesn’t peel an orange.” However, she advises a person who is in a relationship that if their partner "consistently fails to do little things that show consideration for you, or they respond negatively to your requests for help, it may indicate larger issues for you to reconsider,” she says.

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For the full history of the "Orange Peel Theory," be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.