Can This Activity Make You Fall in Love?

Science has been trying to come up with definitive ways two people can fall in love — remember those 36 questions to ask a stranger to find love? Well, apparently in addition to asking those questions, staring into another person's eyes for four minutes can ignite that spark. Personally, I would just stick to my totally tried-and-true methods of 1) secret love potions 2) voodoo spells or 3) doodling my name + the object of my affection's last name with a bunch of hearts around it, but you know, to each their own.

The staring component was actually a part of the original 36 questions story, but did not seem to get as much attention as the questions themselves (probably because looking into someone's eyes isn't as fun as asking them random questions. Also it seems kinda creepy and weird, but I'm not judging). Nonetheless, the people over at SoulPancake wanted to test out the hypothesis and got a bunch of couples together. They got everyone from total strangers, to a couple on their fourth date, as well as varying degrees of long-term couples (for example, one elderly couple who'd been married for 55 years, happy tear). Then, they instructed them gaze into each other's eyes for four minutes.

As you can imagine, most couples didn't take the task seriously at first. Four minutes is a long time to just sit there! I don't know if I would have been able to do it. Scratch that, I know I wouldn't. This is how I would be spending my four minutes instead (please note, these tips are not backed by science. They are only backed by my immaturity and inability to sit still).

Try to keep a straight face

Have a contest: whoever keeps a straight face the longest is the winner. Of what, that is for you and your partner to decide. It might sound easy, but it's actually really hard to keep a straight face when you're actively trying not to crack. Can confirm, my sister and I have been doing these contests for years.

Have a staring contest

The best types of staring contests are the kind the other person doesn't even know are happening. You'll automatically win! Also, your partner might think your eyes are watering because you're just so happy and in love.

Make a funny face and try to get the other person to laugh

The key is, obviously, you yourself cannot laugh, otherwise you just ruin it. If the other person can maintain their stony expression despite your best efforts to make them smile, it's a true testament to their dedication.

Luckily, the couples in the video take the experiment a heck of a lot more seriously than I would. It's actually a very sweet video. Watch it below, then try it at home — with your partner, best friend, cat, poster of Benedict Cumberbatch, whoever.

Images: SoulPancake / Youtube; Giphy (3)