Would you dump someone if they didn’t help you to peel you an orange?

Forget MBTI tests or horoscopes; there’s a new test in town to tell if love is true: peel me an orange. 

While it might sound unorthodox, the idea behind the viral “orange peel theory” is rather straightforward: If your partner peels an orange for you with care, it's a sign of genuine love. But if they refuse, it suggests their love might not be sincere. This informal test has become popular on TikTok, especially among heterosexual women and their male partners.

What is the orange peel theory?

In essence, the orange peel theory is about acts of service. It suggests that a partner’s willingness to perform small and seemingly mindless acts of service indicates a healthy relationship. 

“If someone asks you to peel their orange you might think, ‘They’re perfectly capable of doing that themselves, that's not a big deal,’” said TikToker @neanotmia in a breakdown of the trend. “It might not literally be about peeling the orange. They’re asking you for a small favour to see your reaction, to see if later they can ask you for bigger favours. How are you going to make them feel when they ask you for that help?”

The trend is said to have started on TikTok with a slideshow featuring texts between two exes. In one message, one person reminisces about their past relationship, mentioning "I miss when you would peel my oranges for me in the morning". 

After a stream of blue messages, the exchange ends with the sender saying, "I peeled my orange today," but the message appears in green, indicating they had been blocked. Since it was posted in early November, the video has been viewed over 17.6 million times and has over 2.6 million likes.

Understanding the orange peel theory

While seemingly trivial, some believe that the act of peeling an orange symbolises the willingness to perform small gestures of kindness and support, which are believed to reflect the underlying dynamics of the relationship.

To test the "orange peel theory," couples are turning to social media and asking their partners to peel oranges for them to gauge their response. The premise is simple: if your partner agrees to peel the orange, it suggests they have a positive outlook on the relationship. By willingly performing this small task, they demonstrate commitment and readiness to support you in times of need, such as illness or tough situations.

Conversely, if your partner refuses to peel the orange, it’s a red flag, at least according to TikTok. Their reluctance to help with such a minor request may indicate a lack of willingness to assist with other tasks, like household chores or accompanying you to appointments. Essentially, it suggests a reluctance to offer support without being prompted, which can be troubling in a relationship.

Apples vs. oranges

The trend is not just limited to oranges, technically, any fruit (if you will) or little acts of service (opening a jar, for example) works. 

As the trend has gained momentum, many users on TikTok have joined in to showcase the thoughtful gestures of their partners. For instance, a baker shared a heartwarming video of her boyfriend surprising her with pre-separated egg whites, addressing her struggle with the task due to her long nails.

Some users have also highlighted that the theory isn't limited to romantic relationships. One parent shared a touching anecdote on TikTok, revealing how they apply the theory in their daily interactions. “Everyday after school my six-year-old asks me to carry his backpack in the house for him and I always enthusiastically will after learning about the orange peel theory,” one parent shared.

Why the orange peel theory might not always work

The rise of relationship tests on social media has brought about a new wave of digital scrutiny, distilling the complexities of love into viral content. 

Tests like the orange peel theory often reduce human connection to scripted scenarios, overlooking genuine emotional depth. Their subjectivity can lead to misinterpretation and reinforce harmful stereotypes.

Rather than relying on such tests, prioritising open communication, mutual understanding, and emotional intimacy is key to healthy relationships. While small gestures matter, they alone cannot define a relationship's strength.

For example, your partner might not want to peel the orange for you in that moment because they’re preoccupied with another task, or perhaps they’re just having an off day (we all have those moments where we don’t want to be bothered) – you can’t expect them to drop everything just to peel an orange for you. It's important to consider context and understand that responses are influenced by various factors, not just feelings towards the relationship.