Where do you draw the line between gossip and conversation

[TulipsTwoLips]

As the title says. There is someone in my life who's whole conversation is about other people, mainly her close family, and the minutiae of their lives. Sometimes this involves judgement, sometimes not. Inevitably the judgement is reserved for the people who have not made the same life choices as her.

I find I close up around her and say very little as I know it will be passed on. In turn, I know she finds me uncomfortable to be around as I won't open up to her.

Is this merely conversation though (YABU), or gossip (YANBU)?

I consider gossip to be usually a bit mean/negative/nasty. I don’t think there is anything wrong with talking about others if you are doing so with a kind heart, admiration, general chat.

That sounds more like gossip than conversation. It must be a very strained relationship, I don't think I could continue the friendship tbh.

I think that if you wouldn’t feel embarrassed or anxious to learn that the person you were talking about had overheard the conversation then it’s fine. But if you wouldn’t want them to hear what you said, it’s gossip and it should be avoided.

The fact that you close up around her is a big sign.
I have the same reaction to some people and I know they don't find me much 'fun' to be around as I don't like to get involved. It makes me feel uncomfortable. Also I do have things to say and we are all judgemental sometimes but I try to keep my mouth shut as I feel what I say could be twisted and fed back to someone! It's not a nice situation to be in.
Try to avoid!

My mum talks about other people a lot. But i don't think its gossip, more that she doesn't have an awful lot else to talk about, especially at the moment.

Gossip is spiteful and malicious, merely talking about other people is just (boring) conversation.

Thanks for the replies. Lots to think about.