There’s no such thing as a perfect relationship, and well-functioning commitments require work. Sometimes you’ll need to pick up where your partner leaves off and vice versa. TikTok theories have been doing an interesting job of testing relationships for their strength and humor. The ketchup theory has stirred a bit of frenzy around the responsibility of cleaning, “weaponized incompetence” and relationship dynamics.

Girlfriends are squirting ketchup on their countertops and asking their boyfriends how they would clean it. While some smear the ketchup in circular motions, others try to minimize the mess and cleanse the spot afterward. These two methods have divided content creators and commenters. Here’s our take on how the ketchup theory is testing relationships.

What The Ketchup Theory Says About Gender Roles

For many years, in a variety of cultures, women have ran the house and kept it tidy. They couldn’t take on the 9-5 jobs that their husbands did due to a patriarchal system. Often, their efforts in cooking and cleaning were minimized because they weren’t done in the workplace. Now, those biases and expectations still exist. For the girlfriends who squirted ketchup and their boyfriends made an even bigger mess, onlookers have called it “weaponized incompetence,” or doing a task poorly so that you won’t be asked to do it again.

TikTok’s Ketchup Theory on Relationships

As expected, when boyfriends responded with cleaning and sanitizing the ketchup spot, those actions were well-received. However, one TikToker in particular said that this theory/challenge points towards a greater problem. It’s making a mess intentionally to grade and record a partner’s response that is also a part of the problem. Viewers’ reactions spark debate on what qualifies as a solid partnership while sparking the creation of more theories.

Like the orange peel theory, it’s assumed that these challenges will expose holes in our relationships. That isn’t always the case. Sometimes it’s that and other times it’s putting your relationship on display to be judged by others for likes. However, they aren’t the only ones participating in this “social comparison.” TikTok and these theories are only amplifying behaviors that we’ve exhibited, in connection to social media, for years on end. Playing this game can be tricky as it can have an impact on the bonds nearest and dearest to us.

By now, we’ve learned, whether we agree or not, that cleaning is not exclusive to gender. We also know that not every second of our relationship needs to be broadcasted online. The ketchup theory reminds us that how we do things isn’t always a representation of our intentions or character. It also reminds us that in many cases, no matter what, we will still be perceived. In any case, we hope that those engaging aren’t allowing the challenge to add any undeserved pressure. The internet is for information and entertainment so if you’re engaging, then do it responsibly.

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