bantering

This term describes a specific type of social interaction that is lighthearted and teasing. It carries a positive, friendly connotation, implying a mutual understanding between participants where the "attacks" are not intended to wound but to build rapport or create a playful atmosphere. It is distinct from "mocking" or "ridiculing," which are malicious and intended to belittle.

As a noun, the word functions as a gerund describing the activity itself. While it can be used in a countable sense to refer to specific instances of exchange, it is most frequently used as an uncountable mass noun to describe the general quality or atmosphere of a conversation.