Have you ever come across someone who seems to have a gift for chatter? Or have you encountered classmates who, when called upon to speak during oral recitations, seem to devour the entire lecture schedule? Or do you tend to talk a lot after seeing a movie?
If so, in twenty-first century terms, you are a yapper.
A yapper is an individual who talks too much or shares too much, no matter the setting. Ever since the term became popular online, more and more people have claimed to be one, saying it sums them up perfectly.
But even though being a yapper is becoming more acceptable, some people also discuss the drawbacks of being around one. Examples include how they can be distracting to those around them, reduce productivity, upset relationships, and be overly trusting of those they share information with.
However, as the yin-yang represents, nothing can exist positively without the negative.
Being a yapper carries so many benefits for what appears to be trivial. If you consider yourself one, here are some reasons why it is not entirely a bad thing:
When gabbing with someone you are in a long-distance relationship with, whether in person or over a video call, these can help you practice effective communication and active listening while you get to mirror or reflect on your partner. Also, yapping relieves the awkward silence we experience when no one is speaking.
Connecting with people is rarely bad for your mental health. Even just one communication activity per day with a friend or a lover can enhance everyday well-being, according to a 2023 study by Hall et al. It doesn’t really matter what kind of conversation you have as long as you initiate conversations with someone. This sense of belongingness relieves feelings of loneliness and isolation.
You can make new friends by meaningless yapping. The best way to deal with the loneliness that sometimes comes with the world is to share pointless information with those around you. Even though your significant other claims to be done with your nonsense, somehow they wind up listening and laughing. You probably need to get out of your relationship if your current partner does not enjoy your yapping moments.
Yapping often makes your coworkers feel valued, heard, and at ease—which fosters the development of friendships—especially if you are feeling reticent at work. In 2017, a report found that, in comparison to companies with low employee engagement, those with high engagement experienced 43% lower turnover. More creative conversations arise from employees who are friends outside of the office, which is good for the company and may encourage younger staff to stay on longer.
Additionally, you feel more secure in relationships when your career is stable. It is ideal if you even yap to your partner about your work-related worries so that you can both relieve stress in the same way. This allows you to develop a deeper understanding of one another while remaining supportive.
While it is important to know when to keep your mouth shut and there is nothing wrong with shyness, there should also be pride in being a yapper.
Being expressive enables you to connect with people on a deeper level through common interests, passions, and experiences. Additionally, it helps you exude confidence, which can help you become more confident as your own genuine confidence grows.
To be a yapper is to be a storyteller, an entertainer, an artist, or a spokesperson all wrapped in one. Not everyone possesses this gift, and those who do deserve to be celebrated.
Hall et al. (2023). Quality Conversation Can Increase Daily Well-Being. SageJournals.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00936502221139363
Harter, J. (2017). Employee Engagement vs. Employee Satisfaction and Organizational Culture. Gallup.
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/236366/right-culture-not-employee-satisfaction.aspx
