Banter Bites

Forget The Bar Of Soap. Don’t Slip On The Orange.

Shower essentials – soap, shampoo, and … an orange?!

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: For Red, fad or no fad, eating an orange in a shower seemed silly; while for Black, she could argue both the pros and cons but needed more research.


Red assumed eating an orange in a shower was another one of those unusual challenges started on TikTok that went viral, so was surprised when Black explained it started on Reddit back in 2015. But it seemed harmless enough, although she wondered about slipping on the peels in the shower.

Black saw it as the power of social media to make something as basic as eating an orange into a viral sensation that went mainstream as even “The Guardian” wrote about it, complete with discussions about its pros and cons.

So, with a little eye-rolling, Red admitted she didn’t get it, but that may be because she’s never been a huge fan of oranges, but then looked at it from the perspective of a mom,

I love that eating oranges in the shower avoids sticky fingers and countertops and whatever else you touch, but … isn’t it a bit counterproductive as you still have to clean up all the orange peel and pits once you’re done with the shower?

Black, on the other hand, is a huge fan of sumo oranges, although she thought blood oranges might be a more amusing choice for the shower. Regardless, she had read where people claimed that eating an orange in the shower made them feel happy, and wondered if it was the aromatherapy aspects of the hot water mixing with the orange peels,

I typically use eucalyptus oil in the shower, but in the interest of “research”, decided to test drive the “shower orange”. And, in terms of whether I found a noticeable sensory benefit, all I will say is, try it for yourself. If you derive a feeling of happiness, or it just makes you smile, then … orange you glad you tried it?

Today’s turbulent times for Jews may overshadow the celebration of the Jewish New Year, one of the holiest of the Jewish holidays. Yet, ironically, we feel it should strengthen its significance, as the holiday is a time for reflection on the past and hope for the future.

If you think today’s politics are ugly … let’s talk about a man who named himself “dictator for life” of the Roman empire, and is then assassinated by a group of senators, including his best friend. (However, there’s a “pretty” part – Cleopatra was his mistress.) Food trivia and leadership lessons aside, the fact July is named after him is the perfect excuse to rerun one of Red’s favorite Banter Bites

Quick! If someone says "Julius Caesar," what comes to mind?

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Almost everyone has heard of Julius Caesar, but how many of us really know much about him, or at least that's what Red starts to wonder when she receives the usual flippant, but still accurate, reply from her sister, after feeling very proud that she knew that July was named after the famous Roman.

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We don’t know about you, but we hate bathing suit shopping. So, we can’t imagine what it must be like if you’re looking for a gender-fluid one. And why would anyone get their panties in a knot (as Black would say) if Target sells them? Or Pride-themed merchandise? But clearly, people did. Which makes us ask … why should Target have such a difficult time supporting their LGBTQ+ (there are variations of this acronym) customers? And, more importantly, why can’t we let people celebrate who they are without facing a backlash of prejudice and violence?!

Rainbows are beautiful and suggest something magical. But during Pride Month, they also become a symbol of love, support, and understanding for the LGBTQ community.

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Until yesterday, when Black explained it to her, Red, like many people, didn't realize that Pride Month evolved from a tragic event, the Stonewall Uprising, into both a tribute and a memorial before it became a worldwide celebration of the LGBTQ community.

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