Hey everyone! It's Yuna Kawamura. If you've been on TikTok lately, you've probably noticed all these dating trends going viral. But honestly, don't you sometimes wonder, 'Do these actually work?'
So I decided to put them to the test! I tried every viral TikTok dating trend I could find, and let me tell you... the results were absolutely wild (lol). Some worked amazingly, others were total disasters. I'm spilling all the tea on my real experiences!
The Orange Peel Theory: Testing His True Feelings!
What Even Is the Orange Peel Theory?
First up was the globally viral 'Orange Peel Theory.' Basically, you ask your partner to do something slightly annoying (like peeling an orange) and judge their love based on their reaction.
I was super skeptical at first. Like, how can peeling an orange reveal anything about love? But TikTok comments were full of people saying 'This is so accurate!' and 'I cried at my boyfriend's reaction,' so I was intrigued.
I brought an orange on our date and asked my college boyfriend, 'Can you peel this for me? My hands will get sticky.'
The Result Was... Surprisingly Touching!
His reaction totally caught me off guard. At first, he was like, 'Can't you do it yourself?' (lol), but when I said 'Please~' he not only peeled it carefully but removed all the white bits too! He even asked, 'Should I break it into smaller pieces for you?'
Honestly, I didn't expect him to be so thoughtful about it, and I got a bit emotional. That TikTok comment about 'When you truly care about someone, even annoying tasks become acts of love' turned out to be so true.
I had my friends try it too, with mixed results. Some boyfriends immediately started peeling, while one friend got told 'What? Do it yourself' (they broke up a month later...).
The Phone Flip Challenge: Catching Cheaters?
Why Suddenly Flip Your Phone?
Next was the 'Phone Flip Challenge.' Super simple - you suddenly place your phone face-down when you're with someone and watch their reaction.
TikTok claims 'Guilty people get nervous' and 'Cheaters always react,' so I had to test it out.
At the university cafeteria, I dramatically flipped my phone over while talking to friends...
My Friends' Reactions Were Hilarious
Guy friend A: Immediately asked 'Why did you flip your phone?' (suspicious)
Girl friend B: Didn't notice at all, kept talking normally (safe)
Guy friend C: Said 'Oh, I'll do that too' and flipped his phone (???)
C's reaction was the funniest - he later told me he thought it was 'some kind of new etiquette' (lol). Too pure for this world!
But warning: this challenge can create tension in relationships. My friend's boyfriend asked, 'Why are you doing that? Don't you trust me?' and they ended up fighting. Use with caution!
Red Flag Filter: Compatibility Check!
Instagram Filters for Dating?
Third was the 'Red Flag Filter' on Instagram and TikTok. Random red flags appear around your face showing potential deal-breakers or compatibility issues.
I thought it was just for fun, but it was scarily accurate! Mine showed 'Talks about ex constantly,' 'Always splits the bill,' and 'Texts once every 3 days' - and yeah, those would definitely be deal-breakers (lol).
It Became a Party Hit
We used this filter at our club party and it was absolutely hilarious!
Senior who got 'Too possessive' → Actually texted his ex every hour
Classmate who got 'Mama's boy' → Brings mom's homemade lunch daily
Junior who got 'Games over dates' → Actually chose a tournament over a date once
Everyone was dying laughing at how accurate it was. How does a simple filter get it so right?
The best part about this filter is that it makes you reflect on your dating standards while having fun. It helped clarify what's negotiable and what's not in relationships.
Soft Launching: The Secret to Lasting Love?
The New Trend of Not Posting Your Partner
Lastly, there's 'Soft Launching' - acknowledging you're in a relationship but not revealing your partner's face or details on social media.
You might post date photos but not show their face, just their hands, or their shadow. Started by celebrities, now it's spreading to regular people.
The Benefits I Discovered
I'm soft launching with my current boyfriend, and it's been amazing!
First, no unnecessary scrutiny. No bombardment of 'What's he like?' or 'Where did you meet?' questions, and no random DMs from strangers.
Best of all, it creates this special intimacy between us. We focus more on real-life moments instead of social media, and we don't worry about likes anymore.
The downside? Friends might think you're not serious, or your partner might feel like you're embarrassed of them. Clear communication about why you're doing it is crucial.
Conclusion: Trends Are for Fun, Not Rules
After trying all these TikTok dating trends, I realized: you don't need to take everything seriously, but they often have surprising insights.
The Orange Peel Theory reminded me of my boyfriend's kindness, the Red Flag Filter helped clarify my standards, and Soft Launching showed me a new way to love.
But most importantly, don't let trends control you. Breaking up just because 'TikTok said so' is ridiculous.
Think of trends as seasoning for your love life. Used well, they make dating more fun, but rely on them too much and you'll lose sight of what matters.
If you're curious about any trends, try them with a light heart! You might discover something unexpected. But always trust your own feelings in the end. There's no right answer in love - find what works for you!
Next time, I'll be writing about 'How to Balance Stan Culture and Dating.' Stay tuned!
