Olive Theory, Relationships and You

CULTURE BY ASTRID I. VIERA

OLIVE THEORY, RELATIONSHIPS AND YOU

YOU GIVE WHAT YOU GET AND YOU DON’T GET UPSET

When you have a favorite thing it’s hard to think that anyone else would not like that same thing as you. Your favorite thing could be someone else’s least favorite thing. Maybe this is what makes some of the best relationships, both romantic and platonic. Someone enjoying something opposite from you: like the saying “oppositesattract.” This opens up the question: “Do opposites really attract?” Are the best pairing two different things or do similarities make a strong duo? Some different things are so good together: the peanut butter to the jelly, the apple to the pie and in the fall, the pumpkin to the spice.

On a lighter note, opposites attracting can be referred to as “The Olive Theory”, a theory that had been talked about in an episode of the popular television show How I Met Your Mother. The two characters, Lily and Marshall had gone on a date to find out Marshall hates olives while Lily loves them. Marshall’s friend, Ted, had explained that this would make them the perfect couple because it creates a perfect balance. Therefore, creating *drumroll please* “The Olive Theory.” Is it a proper scientific theory that Stephen Hawking created? No, but it still applies toeveryone’s lives.

This theory applies to real life but it is also seen inmovies and TV shows. In the movie Ratatouille, one of the main characters, Alfredo Linguini, is a new chef at the restaurant; he holds a soft-spoken personality and tries to keep to himself. On the other hand, he ends up meeting Colette Tatou who also works at the restaurant and has a strong personality that packs a punch. In the end, they get together, and even though they are opposites, they work. Another example would probably be every Nicholas Sparks movie ever: sweet girl meets a guy from a different background which then leads to some trials and tribulations just for them to end up together in the end. But at the end of the day, who could turn down a good tearjerker? Nicholas Sparks is just great at what he does.

There are a lot of reasons that opposites attract. As individuals we are so used to ourselves, what we like, what we enjoy doing, how we respond to situations, and of course, what we don’t like. When meeting someone new, they might have a completely different style of clothing than what you wear, or they might be outgoing and adventurous, but you might be introverted and stick to what you like. This could be exciting for someone to see or it could seem like a nightmare. We can find ourselves in situations that match us with someone, either romantically or platonically, where the question arises: “How are we even friends or together?” Sometimes, opposites just really work together.

On the other hand, similarities might be the key to long-term relationships, whether platonic or romantic. For some people, similarities are something that they seek when meeting people, as it generally helps in forming relationships if people share something in common. Whether it’s music, clothes or food, it provides an easy talking point without thinking too hard. Similarities might even be beneficial within relationships. This can include certain demographics that someone might be a part of, including beliefs or values, cultures, politics, and even location.

These similarities are of high importance in forming relationships and may lead to a longer-lasting relationship. Some of these factors could make it or break it. In this case, differences might only be good for surface-level topics. Similarities also do not have to be something as pointed as politics or beliefs; many people might be attracted to the people in their geographical location since it is where they already reside or spend their time. It is already where they are and unintentionally, they already share the same city, town and state. This can also roll into beliefs and political views.

Having more similarities or differences might affect relationships or it might not. Either way, relationships form in ways people might not expect. Whether your best friend is the most opposite person could be from you or so similar you are practically twins, we are all more similar than we are different. It makes us who we are as individuals and as we are in relationships. Without differences and similarities within relationships, we might not have our best dynamic duos or even the power couples, *cough cough* Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Maybe the Olive Theory is something to keep in the back of the mind, a fun conversation starter, or even something you might notice more after reading this.

ILLUSTRATION BY KRIZZHA DEE