A superstition known as the 'shoe theory' is circulating on TikTok, warning that giving a partner shoes as a gift may cause them to 'walk away' from the relationship. The theory, rooted in Chinese folklore, suggests that gifting shoes brings bad luck and can lead to a breakup.
According to the superstition, the Chinese word for 'shoes' sounds similar to words meaning 'evil' or 'bad luck'. TikTok users have shared personal stories of relationships ending after they gave shoes as presents, fueling the trend's popularity.
One user, Angela Chan, said her mother introduced her to the theory as a child. Another, Katie, initially dismissed the idea but recalled that the only time she gave shoes to an ex, they later 'walked out of her life'. Other users reported similar experiences, including one whose husband had an affair after receiving shoes for Christmas.
The trend has gained traction as Christmas approaches, with many young women heeding the warning. The 'shoe theory' follows other viral relationship tests on TikTok, such as the 'name a woman' craze, where partners are judged on their immediate response to a random name.
