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Shoe Theory: What is this viral relationship trend all about? How did it start?

All you need to know about the trending shoe curse that might doom your relationship

TikTok is a platform where distinctive relationship theories and superstitions go viral. This time its Shoe theory! Gift-giving is one of the five love languages, and almost each one of us loves that.

But now, TikTok is warning loved-up couples that there is one gift you should never give your partner or they can end up breaking up with you. Well, wonder what that gift is? It's footwear. But what is this theory about? Where did it come from?

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What is TikTok’s viral ‘Shoe Theory’?

According to the ‘Shoe Theory’, gifting your significant other a pair of shoes will ultimately lead to the end of your relationship. The trend has recently gained traction, with a number of TikTokers sharing their own stories. A number of people posted TikToks about relationships that failed after gifting shoes.

Others voiced concern that they were exposed to the theory too late, and had already gifted their significant other a pair of footwear. Many users have shared anecdotes that support the theory, each of them revealing that not long after purchasing shoes for their partner, they were broken up. A user on Twitter wrote, "Just found out about the shoe theory on tiktok and funnily ENOUGH I actually did buy my ex shoes for her 21st and then 2 days later we broke up! Mad! never buying anyone shoes again! goodnight!"

 However, many TikTokers and commenters have also shared stories proving that the superstition hasn’t been true in their case. A user on Twitter wrote, "This shoe theory on tiktok is dumb….if y’all bad at picking partners just say that don’t blame your bad decisions on buyin shoes."

Origin of this theory

There’s not one person or culture that can lay claim to the theory. However, a suggests that the Chinese have promoted the same idea for centuries.“Primarily the whole idea comes from the Chinese word for shoes (鞋 xié) which sounds similar to evil (邪 xié ),” China Market Advisor states. It’s sending them the message to end your relationship and walk out of there. Therefore some people have claimed shoes are an inappropriate gift for couples. However, it also highlights that this theory doesn’t apply to families.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.