6
The so-called Olive Theory has become well known, amongst other things, through the American sitcom *How I Met Your Mother*. According to this theory, only those people who either hate or love olives in equal measure are suited to a relationship.
This is what the Olive Theory from “How I Met Your Mother” says
The Olive Theory is mentioned in the first episode of the sitcom.
- In the episode ‘In Love, Engaged, Failed’, Ted Mosby explains the Olive Theory to Robin, which he learnt from his friend Marshall.
- According to this theory, only people who have opposing views on olives are suited to a committed relationship. One partner must love them, the other must hate them.
- Marshall told his partner Lily that he hated olives because she wanted to eat them on their first date.
- However, it transpires that Marshall actually likes olives and only claimed the opposite so that Lily would believe the Olive Theory applied to them both.
There’s something to that theory
- For many people, the principle simply holds true: opposites attract.
- Even in everyday life, differing views can be helpful, for example when it comes to resolving a controversial issue.
- Discussions or conversations can also become more interesting thanks to differing opinions.
- On the other hand, a complete lack of common ground can also lead to problems in a relationship.
- If you’ve now realised that the olive theory doesn’t apply to your relationship, there’s no need to panic – after all, Marshall and Lily are still happily married at the end of the series, even though they both love olives.
