Is He a Couch Guy, or Is That Just His Love Style?

Poor Couch Guy. Remember him? Back in 2021, his girlfriend gave him a surprise visit at college. The interaction went viral on TikTok—for all the wrong reasons. 

In the viral video, Couch Guy sits nonchalantly on his couch when his girlfriend walks in the room. As she breezes through the door, his reaction seems a little tepid. He takes more than a few seconds to process before rising to give her a hug. 

It seems innocuous on the surface, but the TikTok world wasn’t having any of it. They berated ‘Couch Guy’ (real name, Robbie) for not looking more emotional when he saw his girlfriend. How could he not leap off the couch in joy or express more overt happiness? 

The video was dissected by countless viewers, who had very specific ideas about what a loving reunion should look like. 

But as our Love Styles test shows, people express love in a variety of ways. Seven to be exact. So, before you pass judgment on Couch Guy (or anyone else, for that matter), let’s dive into these seven Love Styles and see where you, and Robbie, might fit.

What’s a Love Style? 

First things first, a quick note on what the seven Love Styles are and how they work. Love Styles are essentially the ways people prefer to give and receive love. We all have a primary Love Style that resonates most deeply with us, often accompanied by a couple of secondary preferences.

You may have heard of  the “5 Love Languages” which were popularized by Dr. Gary Chapman in his book of the same name. While both concepts are similar, Love Styles is a much more modern take on the theme. Unlike Chapman's research, which was based on his work with married, Christian couples, Truity's research included unmarried couples, non-religious couples, same-sex couples, and couples of all ages, locations and backgrounds.  The result is a more inclusive framework for understanding how people express love in all types of relationships.

Now, onto the Love Styles…

Physical 

We’ll start with the Love Style the TikTok-verse wanted from Coach Guy: Physical.

As the name suggests, people with this Love Style show their affection through touch and physical closeness (like Chapman’s Physical Touch Love Language). We’re not just talking about sex, though. This Love Style encapsulates all sorts of physical gestures: hugs, holding hands, a peck on the cheek, stroking the hair. It's the most 'showy' of the Love Styles because you can see the affection physically expressed.

If Couch Guy had this Love Style, he would no doubt have jumped for joy when he saw girlfriend, wrapped her up in a hug and smothered her in affection. He didn't, but that doesn't mean he doesn't love her. It just means his Love Style is likely something else.

Practical

We all know that person—or maybe you are that person—who truly feels loved through acts of service. Whether it’s tidying up the house, taking on extra tasks when their partner is overwhelmed or even packing a lunch, these everyday gestures speak volumes. For those with this Love Style, actions often speak louder than words or physical affection.

So, if Couch Guy wasn’t bursting with excitement upon seeing his girlfriend, it might be because his primary way of showing and receiving love doesn’t revolve around grand gestures. Instead, it’s in the small, thoughtful acts he does for her that make her feel special and loved. After that uncomfortable reunion, did he cook her dinner or unpack her bags? We may never know. But for someone with a Practical Love Style, that could mean more than any big romantic gesture.

Intellectual 

People with the Intellectual Love Style long for a meeting of the minds. They thrive on discussing their favorite books, theories, dreams and current events with their partner. It’s the exchange of ideas and insights that makes them feel truly connected to the person they’re dating. 

If Couch Guy falls into this category, it’s possible that he was so lost in conversation with his friends (also on the couch) that he didn’t immediately register his girlfriend’s entrance. But don't be fooled, this doesn't mean he loves her any less. It means that he values connecting on an intellectual level as much as (or maybe more than) physical touch or grand gestures. The real intimacy will come when they talk later.

Appreciation 

Appreciation is another Love Style that probably would have gone down well with the Coach Guy video’s 50 million viewers. This style is all about expressing affection through genuine praise and compliments. People with this Love Style are quick to highlight their partner’s positive qualities, cheer on their daily victories and offer a constant stream of heartfelt encouragement.

Had Coach Guy been the Appreciation kind, he would’ve lavished his girlfriend with compliments and celebratory cheers when he saw her. Given the video’s lack of enthusiastic praise, it’s safe to say this isn’t his primary Love Style.

Emotional

The phrase, “a friend in need is a friend indeed,” rings true for people with the Emotional Love Style. For these individuals, the real test of love comes during the hard times. They feel most loved when their partner supports them when the going gets tough, listens to them when they’re down and cares for them when they feel vulnerable. 

Sure, physical affection and kind words are nice. But for people with this Love Style, true love is built on emotional support. It’s knowing their partner will be there, no matter what—and offering the same unwavering support in return. Watching the Couch Guy video—and without knowing anything else about the couple—there's a strong argument for Robbie's girlfriend having this Love Style. After all, she did plan a surprise visit to be there in person for him.

Financial

The Financial Love Style is often misunderstood, with many assuming it’s all about ‘buying’ affection through gifts and lavish vacations. But that’s not the real story.

For those with this Love Style, love is about easing financial burdens. They feel truly cared for when their partner helps with things like covering bills, managing expenses or occasionally surprising them with a thoughtful gift. It's not about materialism—it's about feeling supported and secure when their partner shares the load of financial responsibilities. Does Couch Guy or his girlfriend have this Love Style? Without more information, it's hard to say. But it's possible her paying for the trip to surprise him could be a sign of this Love Style at play.

Activity 

Last but certainly not least, we have the Activity Love Style. For individuals who resonate with this one, love is found in shared experiences and quality time. Whether it’s a weekend hike, trying out a brand new hobby, or simply exploring a new place, the key is spending time together and creating lasting memories.

But that’s not all. People with this Love Style also feel loved when their partner takes an interest in their hobbies, career and life outside of the relationship. It’s showing interest in their world, and being an active part of it, that makes them feel loved. 

For all we know, both Coach Guy and his girlfriend could very well have had the Activity Love Style. She planned a trip to see him and he was sharing hobbies with his friends (they were gaming while sitting on the couch)—they just didn’t get the chance to show it as a couple in those few fleeting seconds on TikTok!

Confident about what your Love Style is, or still not sure? Take the free Love Styles quiz now and find out for yourself!