Have you ever been yap-trapped? Well, if you don’t know what this is, keep reading.

Apart from the fun cat videos (yes, cats are always in vogue!), TikTok keeps feeding us with new trends or reviving old ones. This time, a trend that has been around for some time is dating a yapper. If the word is something you haven’t recently heard about dating, then it refers to being in a romantic relationship with someone who talks a lot, often about seemingly insignificant things, essentially meaning they are quite chatty and share a lot of details about their life, sometimes even considered "over-sharing"; it can be seen as a slang term for someone who tends to ramble or talk excessively. And if you don’t fully understand the meaning, then one of the most popular yappers is Carrie Bradshaw. Carrie, apart from all the things she is (good or bad) she is can definitely be considered a "yapper" because of her tendency to talk excessively, particularly about her personal life and experiences, which can come across as overly dramatic or self-absorbed.

We all indeed love a good conversation -Carrie’s friends did, too- but what happens when "good conversation" turns into an endless stream of words? Dating someone who talks excessively can be both endearing and exhausting.

It’s not always easy to perceive that someone is a yapper, especially when it’s essential to communicate with someone we want to date. Indeed, yappers are often brimming with ideas, opinions, and stories. They can be incredibly engaging and make for fascinating dinner mates. Their enthusiasm can be infectious, making dates feel lively and exciting, which usually creates a sense of intimacy and honesty, emotions highly valued in the dating field.

What’s wrong, then? Good conversations are always a turn-on for most of us, but not when they are one-sided. Imagine being on a date and feeling like you are back in college, listening to your professor giving an endless lecture about whatever. How would you feel? At least, bored. 

Dating a yapper may sound fun in the beginning, but it can actually turn out to be toxic.

Constant talking can feel overwhelming and leave you with little space to share your thoughts and feelings. Yappers can sometimes get so caught up in their own words that they fail to listen to you genuinely. Therefore, the relationship dynamics can become skewed, with one person dominating the conversation and the other feeling unheard and unimportant. And nobody wants to feel like this in an intimate relationship. Also, dating a yapper can cause anxiety and stress because this constant stimulation can be exhausting and draining.

How can I understand that my date is a yapper?

It’s not always clear if someone is a yapper but, if you have any suspicions, you should notice the signs. For instance, who rules the conversation when you two get drinks/dinner/hang out? Do they talk over others or interrupt frequently? Do they find it difficult to let others speak? Do they seem more focused on what they want to say next rather than truly listening to you? Do they rarely ask follow-up questions or show genuine interest in your thoughts and feelings?

These are some signs that you are dating a yapper. Or not. It’s good to remember that everyone has a unique communication style and what feels like "yapping" to one person might be seen as enthusiastic and engaging to another. So, don’t run to judge your alleged yapper date. They may just be excited to share things with you, or they may try to impress you. 

Also, every couple is different, and what works (or doesn’t work) for us may work for others.