How gossip girls battle

HAVING a gossip is one of life’s small pleasures. But women who indulge in it may be trying to discredit female rivals, psychologists say.

A new study suggests some use it as a tactic to badmouth rivals for male attention. Men tend to talk about others’ wealth and athleticism, but women focused on physical appearance, the study found.

The University of Ottawa researchers said: “Women reported gossiping significantly more than men, suggesting women may favour gossip as their primary means of competing for mates.”