People seem to have different definitions of gossip.
There’s the ’‘did you hear so and so is retiring?’ type of gossip. I do that. I think most of us do this.
Then there’s the ‘She is driving me mad today!’ when someone’s behaviour is irritating the hell out of me and I’m talking to a friend. This sort of gossip can be a human trait that is really about people letting off steam and venting.
However, gossip can also be designed to hurt other people. Putting other people down to bolster their own self-worth. That’s never good or healthy. That’s the ‘did you see the state of her house? Ugh!’ or ‘she really should do something about her breath’ type gossip.
I think most people gossip to some level and it’s human nature. How it’s done and what it entails makes the difference.