Gothic "Underground" Culture

Some say that being "gothic" is just wearing alot of black clothes and bad makeup.... but it's more than that... it's a culture.

As like all forms of culture, it includes art, music, themes, entertainment, and whole range of other social aspects.

I guess the point in this thread is my saying i'm proud to be part of that culture. I enjoy it, relish it, and welcome it.

This weekend, there is going to be a festival in the dark, gothic heart of Sydney - Newtown. It will be "awash with a festival atmosphere as you shop amidst the high goth theatrics happening around you." It will include street theatre, live music, hearse rides, aswell as a whole bunch of other entertainment.

This is (to my knowledge) the first ever event such as this to be held in Sydney, and i must say that i'm rather excited about it. It's tomorrow night (Saturday, 31st July), 6:30pm - Midnight. It is appropriately called Under the Blue Moon - because of the fact that there is going to be a full moon.

information about it can be found >here< (www.sydneygothic.com).

In saying that... there are various definitions of "goth". stereotypical, all otherwise. but in my opinion... "goth" it anything. it's undefinable, you can be whoever you want to be and people will accept you. But that's not also to say that it isn't unlike any other culture... it has bad people in it... it had bitching... it has patronising individuals, and those who hold themselves high above everyone else. My point being - it's not so much different to anyone else, it's just a "darker" side of interest, which isn't to say it's evil. i'm just rambling now.

sorry - i'm at work and on a break, and don't have anything better to do than to ramble on about nothing in particular.

<end rant>

- funkyhorror -

So what you're saying FH, is that I could wear a tu-tu, a pink leotard, and a tiara and still call myself 'goth'?

If so, sweet! I'm going to get right on that.

But all seriousness aside, I think goths are cool, some scare me, but it's like any form of expression. There are obviously different people in the world and they can't all like everything I like. That would be freaky. I shudder at the thought. But I like everyone. Except for stupid people. But stupidity knows no culture. It's everywhere, lurking, ready to nip you in the ass.

most of my friends are goths..wait no they're not they're just really weird like me. :D

Personally I think there is a lot of stereotypes from other "non-goths" ,not that there isnt a stereotype with everything nowdays.

"Im not goth I just like the color black" - me, 2 years ago lol

*Sighs* Why is it that Melbourne and Sydney have to be so close yet so far apart. Really sucks.

eh, you should come to Chicago... "goth" nights galore!

Hey, how about living on the Gold Coast? Dude do you know how many goths there are here? We are out numbered by the bad taste, cardigan wearing perm heads. I honestly want to run up to another who dresses 'alternatively' like myself and hug them as they are as rare as hens teeth here. I mean I joke around with FH and call him a goth, however as he stated it's such a broad term that it's really not correct in calling alternatives goths. In the past (and still today) goths are associated as dirty people who didn't/don't bath and like to stand around in groups looking like mimes. However it's just not the case. It's a whole way of life really.

ssl, send me a one way ticket to Chicago stat!

Who the fuck wants a perm? That is like soooooooo 1990s. Australia is so behind the times.

Like totally.

I also have friends that r goth. N I respect them, I have no problems with anyone just as long that they respect me, n I respect them.
Plus I think u would love it in New York City, The Village. Now thats a place that u'll see everybody.

That's right Niva honey. It's all about what's on the inside of a person. Would I be any different a person if I had all my piercings removed along with my tatts? No. Some people love to judge others simply by what they wear and how they look. Sad, very sad.

It is sad, thats one thing I really love about forums, you aren't judged. It's a wonderful place to be.
NMN, you should see the hoards of old ladies with their perms roaming my streets, I unfortunatly don't live close enough to the city that all the old people are scared away.

That is why Australia is stuck in the 20th century. Get with the times. Crazy Aussies.

Like totally.

What's up with this talk that's making it seem like people who identify themselves with the "goth" subculture/group are so different? We're all just human beings. I think funky was on point when he said it's not about being "different," it's just something else that people are into and sometimes catch flak for it due to a lack of acceptance, which can suck at times. Good message, funky.

"Whats up with this black fingernail polish, black clothes, pale white face makeup? If I remember correctly we used to call that HALLOWEEN."

That was something from blue collar comedy that I felt like saying because it delt with this. I personally have nothing against goths unless they have something against me. Like all of you so far I too have goth friends as well as friends who too have goth friends. Man they're everywhere but at the same time can be nice to know.

Like the saying "Treat people like you want to be treated." or "Don't judge people before you know them." follow these because they are very true. No matter who you are, goth, prep, geek or whatever everybody has their likes and dislikes, so be you and let others do the same.

^I was just in the speech kinda mood right then. :)

"Whats up with this black fingernail polish, black clothes, pale white face makeup? If I remember correctly we used to call that HALLOWEEN."

Because we choose to. We seem to think it looks good, hence we do it, just like others choose to wear perms and cardies or jeans that are 2 sizes too tight for them.

If I was to post a pic of myself as I'm just about to go out to a club or dark event/gathering, I would be unrecognisable (and more than likely scarey) to others on here. I have the whole cats-eyes eyeliner, black lipstick and even have been known to re-pierce my nose (keeps closing up). I wear black black and even more black. I love the colors blood red and black. Why? because I' have for over 15 years now. I love all things punk/dark/alternative, and even had a coffee table shaped like a coffin sitting in my loungeroom once. What really pisses me off are these people who buy a Banshees or Cure album and go 'look at me I'm hardcore goth', then stab others in the back who really are alternatives. I think if you really want to label us, it would be dark alternative culture. I don't give a rats ass if someone gets a perm and wears a cardie, however if they push me then I push back. :)

UT, FH, maybe you could help me out, with a problem I have with the whole 'goth' scene.
I once had a good freind, who had 'eccentric' tastes, but about 2 years ago, she embraced the gothic culture, dropped out of school, shaved off her eyebrows ( :wtf: is this a goth thing to do, I really dont know? lol )
died her hair black, septum, lip, nose, eyebrow pericing, and the whole fish net stockings and marilyn manson type style, and I thought, hey, that's cool she's still the same person *erhhh* wrong! Why is it, that goth's change there attitude when they decide to become goth, maybe it's just this girl, but I know that alot of people who are goth, aren't really expressing who they are, but who they want to be, and this is the only thing I don't like about the goth culture, it changes people into something they arnt. Hell I used to be into the whole punk scene, but I didn't change.. at least Im pretty sure I didnt.

And what's with the whole 'sucidial' things asscoiated with goths? It's like wearing black is like a sign saying "watch out, Im gunna kill myself' :wtf:

I guess I'm just saying, I dont understand the changes that people go through, just to be englufed by the gothic culture. Hell, I love goth's, but I love them when they are still the same people, and not pretending to be some 'bad ass' street rat.
I mean UT, you have the most expressive and wonderful nature, and maybe it's your maturity, but it's people like you, that I admire.

I don't understand much about people connecting to music.
Dead Kennedy's = punk scene, tarten!
KMFDM = goth scene, lots and lots of mascara!
Maroon 5 (LOL) = teeny-boppers, what ever's in 'supre'!
Squarepusher = Raver, anything glow in the darky, or blacklight!

But it's obvious the changes people go through to get to a 'stage'.

People (ecspecially in their teen years) go through changes. Sometimes a personal event in their lives makes them introverted, suicidal etc. For example, home probs, peer pressure and the list goes on. People who change simply because they adopt the culture means they're trying too hard to fit in. They have this twisted misconception that becoming 'goth' means they need to become petulant, suicidal and hang around graves to be 'in'.

When I first started out, the music (which defines us as who we really are) grabbed me first. Then it was a natural progression to the clothes, hair, and finally the lifestyle. Punk, goth and alternative are (to me anyway) one in the same. I've had a few mates of mine who've changed like your friend stalin, and I found they all had one thing in common. Bad home lives and over-active hormones. Others do it to fit in, however they need to know that being yourself is all it takes in this world to fit in.

I mean UT, you have the most expressive and wonderful nature, and maybe it's your maturity, but it's people like you, that I admire.

Aww thank you honey, that made my whole day. And believe it when I say that means a lot to me. I don't think it's my maturity though that makes me who I am. I'm just a big kid who loves to play NIN and The Sex Pistols to my kids, and am just eccentric lol Call me Sharon Osbourne, as I can relate to her so much it's not funny lol.

Oh and shaving your eyebrows is NOT a gothic thing to do lol. I don't know why she did that LOL.

stalin6025: I think that changes in appearance and behavior apply to any person that is trying to identify themselves with certain social group. this holds true for many structured settings, and only the perceived degree in deviation from the norm is the variable to which we react to. however, in this instance, using the amount of the deviation should rarely be used as a factor to pass validity. expression carries in many different forms, but only seem extreme because it is farther from the norm, the average that is. we all pretend in some way something that we are not. medical school students pretend to be doctors long before they earn their degrees and complete any rotations. it helps to assimilate by pretending. hell, all those blokes from my school wear funny looking suites, ties and shoes. I'm certain that they did not start so because they were comfortable to wear, but simply to assimilate to structured setting they were trying to assimilate into.

perhaps, knowing the age of you friend just may shed more light.

ps. I listen to music for the sake of music itself, but connecting to certain music may just carry a certain look and certainly specific beliefs. songs carry a message afterall. religion is no different - people of certain beliefs appear in certain ways and behave in a certain manner. music is the same.

To me music is a very personal thing. I look at it this way: To really know someone you can just tell they're either passionate, dark, love to be aloof and have a kind nature simply from their CD or record collection.

Music is my religion in other words.

I think we should all be hippies. Done and done. No more worries, no more madness.

Peace, Love, and Happiness!!

That's eccentric clothing right there. Word.

Under Pressure - Queen and David Bowie

Pressure pushing down on me
Pressing down on you no man ask for
Under pressure
That burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets

Bah bah bah bah bah bah
Bah bah bah bah bah bah

That’s o-kay!
It’s the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming let me out!
Pray tomorrow takes me higher
Pressure on people
People on streets

Do do do bah bah bah bah
O-kay
Chippin’ around
Kick my brains round the floor
These are the days
It never rains but it pours
People on streets
People on streets

It’s the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming let me out!
Pray tomorrow takes me higher higher higher
Pressure on people
People on streets
Turned away from it all
Like a blind man
Sat on a fence but it don’t work
Keep coming up with love
But it’s so slashed and torn
Why why why?
Love love love love

Insanity laughs under pressure we’re cracking
Can’t we give ourselves one more chance?
Why can’t we give love that one more chance?
Why can’t we give love give love give love?
Give love give love give love give love give love?
Cause love’s such an old fashioned word
And love dares you to care
For people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way
Of caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves under pressure
Under pressure pressure

Why can't we give love one more chance? Embrace it, and hug it and squeeze it, until it is blue in the face.

Yes, hippies! we'll start our own 'all-naturale' habitat, and only drink 'wheatgrass' shots ;)

SSL, she is 18, same age as me... which make's it a little weird.
UT, your comment about bad homes that can add to the situation, I agree with you, but in this instance it certianly wasnt the case. I reckon young goth scene is mostly about 'rebellion'. And rebellion, in my mind is mostly from those is stable lives. Meh, i doesnt matter, where not really freinds anymore, we went our seperate ways.

Music, I reckon, is my religion. There's absolutly nothing in the world, that can make me feel a certain emotion, or way, then music can.. even when my discman runs out of batteries, I start to panick, lol.

http://www.wtv-zone.com/moe/moesboomerabilia/images3/hippies.gif

Like, bonkers, Scoob! After all, there's a little hippy in all of us. Our first order of business is to protest against those who oppose the LNSEMSF:

http://web.tampabay.rr.com/lnsemsf/lowres/menu02.htm

Anyone with me? No? Well... go to hell.

Mmmm...Salsa, dammit, you're making me want some now. *Hears the front door open and the sound of shopping bags* MILOOOOOO!!!!!

You junkie eon...make me one while you're in the kitchen!

Nope, couldn't be a hippie, as one of my ex boyfriends mums was sooo hippie that I was turned off it for life. Also I'm to passionate about some issues that it's just not my scene and I'm way too hot headed lol. In other words, they live in the nature and I live in the dark. That's really when I shine. The big blue I try and avoid whenever possible, and the only time I love to go outside is to surf.

Music, I reckon, is my religion. There's absolutly nothing in the world, that can make me feel a certain emotion, or way, then music can.. even when my discman runs out of batteries, I start to panick, lol.

So true honey. Also just look at the NP thread, it is usually an indication of how people are feeling depending on the genre at the time they post. Music is very spiritual.

Damn right I'm a junkie, you would be too if you had been deprived of it for a week.

I have my music on me at all times, especially at school, the teachers don't know about it and it gives me an extra bulge around the middle but at least I can relax with it whenever I need to, its sort of a getaway for me.

Yes, hippies! we'll start our own 'all-naturale' habitat, and only drink 'wheatgrass' shots ;)

SSL, she is 18, same age as me... which make's it a little weird.
UT, your comment about bad homes that can add to the situation, I agree with you, but in this instance it certianly wasnt the case. I reckon young goth scene is mostly about 'rebellion'. And rebellion, in my mind is mostly from those is stable lives. Meh, i doesnt matter, where not really freinds anymore, we went our seperate ways.

Music, I reckon, is my religion. There's absolutly nothing in the world, that can make me feel a certain emotion, or way, then music can.. even when my discman runs out of batteries, I start to panick, lol.
Hell yea! Hippies all the way!

And music needs to be playing, otherwise I start to feel like it is too quiet, and then I get all hot and bothered. People start dying then. I know that isn't too hippie, but why take my music away? Are you insane? Luckily, it hasn't happened yet.

i'm glad to have sparked this discussion *nods*

i must admit, the young goth scene is definately over run with youngin's wanting to defy their parents and society in general, but gradually they come to realise the error of their ways, smarten up, and either embrace the culture, or reject it and move on. i didn't completely change who i was when i started to endulge into the alternative culture, those who do obviously have something to hide, or has serious issues with who they are.

anyways, back to the main point of this thread, the festival i went to on the weekend. it rocked! i met so many new people! i couldn't walk from one end of the street to the other without running into someone i've spoken to online, or just people in general being nice and saying how good i looked, or randomly hugging me, or anything random. i was so amazed to run into this guy i met at a placebo signing last year, he's from London and had just popped in to Sydney from Japan! after wandering around the streets, seeing many bands play, i went to a night club, and that was the best club i've ever been to. they had projectors showing old black and white silent movies, i love that!

and i finally did something i've wanted to do in a while, i took a camera to the club and took photos! (which can be found on my deviant art profile (http://funkyhorror.deviantart.com)). There was just such an awesome atmosphere, and i even met a really nice lady (i say lady because she was 36), and i actually managed to have a really cool conversation with her. age is nothing when you're in a club, it's all about whether or not you're on the same wave length.

anyways... i seem to be rambling on alot and not getting anywhere...

- funkyhorror -

Why give people classifications? It is all in the end an act to promote seperation. Such as the goths over here the punks over here and over here the hippies etc. I consider myself my own individual I fit in withothers because communication is a vital part to life. Aside from that I hate conformity. I dislike the system of control in he world. Just cause someone changes their whole life style makes them a goth or whatever. You shouldn't try to become classified as a certain type of person. Yah I could be goth or I could be anarchy a punk a prep and/or a nerd. But I accept the fact that I'm individual and there willl never be another me. Ever aside if it was me reincarnated. Hell I am an electric wiccan, but how can that classify me? I accept all religion and I may have my dislikes. I cannot deny culture. Neither can any of us. If I decided to kill 25 thousand people will that make me a mass murder? If I burned a cross would that make me satanist. If I decided to ray would that make me christian?

If I decided to kill 25 thousand people will that make me a mass murder?

No, it would make you Hitler ;)

Everyone like's to see themselves as an indivdual, and of course we all are, in certain ways, but some people, feel safer if they know that they belong to a group, where they can be accepted. I mean who didn't go though school, not being apart of a certain group, or getting invloved in a 'trend' ??

As people grow older, they either become pre-occupied in there own personal live's, starting a family, and settling down, and they start to do things that are for there own good, and do activities which are self-affirming, and they 'embrace' who they are.
I just think that young people, who are following trends, cant really catergorize themselves, or commit themselves to something for life.

I've met some damn crazy people, one of which was a 25 year old, who had a job with some financial company, but was also apart of this vampire cult, and this guy was really into it, with the whole black and red suits, he had gone to the dentist, to get these little fake extensions that fit on the end of your tooth, like fangs!? And he was one of the most hilarious people I have ever met, he embraced who he was, and what he believed in, and in doing so, he showed his real self, staying safe and happy with who he was.

i'm glad to have sparked this discussion *nods*

i must admit, the young goth scene is definately over run with youngin's wanting to defy their parents and society in general, but gradually they come to realise the error of their ways, smarten up, and either embrace the culture, or reject it and move on. i didn't completely change who i was when i started to endulge into the alternative culture, those who do obviously have something to hide, or has serious issues with who they are.

Here here! *insert wild clapping here*

anyways, back to the main point of this thread, the festival i went to on the weekend. it rocked! i met so many new people! i couldn't walk from one end of the street to the other without running into someone i've spoken to online, or just people in general being nice and saying how good i looked, or randomly hugging me, or anything random. i was so amazed to run into this guy i met at a placebo signing last year, he's from London and had just popped in to Sydney from Japan! after wandering around the streets, seeing many bands play, i went to a night club, and that was the best club i've ever been to. they had projectors showing old black and white silent movies, i love that!

rub it in, go on I don't mind....seriously I'm pissed off I missed it however I'm so glad you made it.

and i finally did something i've wanted to do in a while, i took a camera to the club and took photos! (which can be found on my deviant art profile (http://funkyhorror.deviantart.com)). There was just such an awesome atmosphere, and i even met a really nice lady (i say lady because she was 36), and i actually managed to have a really cool conversation with her. age is nothing when you're in a club, it's all about whether or not you're on the same wave length.

anyways... i seem to be rambling on alot and not getting anywhere...

- funkyhorror -

Bloody wicked, man I love it when you take pics (eg:Placebo cd signing, in concert etc etc) and they look as good as ever honey. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Why give people classifications? It is all in the end an act to promote seperation. Such as the goths over here the punks over here and over here the hippies etc. I consider myself my own individual I fit in withothers because communication is a vital part to life. Aside from that I hate conformity. I dislike the system of control in he world. Just cause someone changes their whole life style makes them a goth or whatever. You shouldn't try to become classified as a certain type of person. Yah I could be goth or I could be anarchy a punk a prep and/or a nerd. But I accept the fact that I'm individual and there willl never be another me. Ever aside if it was me reincarnated. Hell I am an electric wiccan, but how can that classify me? I accept all religion and I may have my dislikes. I cannot deny culture. Neither can any of us. If I decided to kill 25 thousand people will that make me a mass murder? If I burned a cross would that make me satanist. If I decided to ray would that make me christian?

By definition all of us really want to be individuals. If someone were to call me a conformist I'd take it very offensively to say the least. What we are trying to say here (and forgive me if I've not been clear enough ;) ) is that we choose to live, dress, listen to certain genres of music, etc etc because we love it. To us it's a way of life. As funky pointed out some jump into it to prove a point or defy someone or society. One is to be a non-conformist, and the other is to be an anarchist. Sure, I still rebel on certain issues society places to this day, however there are other things that are there in society to safegaurd us, and protect us. Those are the things I will adhere to. Labels will be with everything and on every race/color always. We fear what we don't understand. Sad but true.

Hmm... I knew the point you just proved already but why do we endorse what we do not want?

Originally posted by UT
When I first started out, the music (which defines us as who we really are) grabbed me first. Then it was a natural progression to the clothes, hair, and finally the lifestyle.

Hey, UT, I think I'm going the same way as you. The music, clothes and hair have already got me, but it seems I'm such a miserly gal that I'm not even spending money on MYSELF. Oh well. Plus I go to a crappy grammar school that, guess what? doesn't allow hair dye. Sixth form neither.
However, screw them. I'm going to dye my hair anyway.

Trouble is, the "cardies and jeans that are two sizes too small for them" (or I think that's how one of you put it) look appears to be "in" at the moment.

The people on my bus thought I was a hippy for wearing a shocking pink and black striped skirt on a non-uniform day. They laughed when I told them I was on the road to becoming a goth. I mean for God's sake, does what I wear make me who I am? Plus;

a) If I went in to school wearing what they wear, they'd criticise me for "trying to fit in".

and

b) If the "gothic look" became "in", they'd deny that people like me and my friends ever had that style before them, because it's simply out of the question to have a "freak" start a "trend".

When I was obsessed with image and becoming popular around three years back, I kept trying so hard to get with the "in" crowd whilst still keeping my original mates, and I became so tired of it that I just gave up. I didn't have a clue what to do next, but then I learnt that the girl at my bus stop was a goth, and it grew from there. I've been almost perfectly happy ever since.

Aw. The End. :p

This may well be the longest post I've ever written. :D

I'm not Gothic, but only because i mostly wear black t-shirts (with bands, like rammstein or korn on it) and listen to hard-rock and metal. the idiots in my class call me gothic

there so stupid, they think when you wear a black t-shirt, your auto gothic
i don't hate gothic's, i think there very cool. but the people in my class (1 or 2 from my class of last year) are so irritating


i'm the only one in my class that listens to rock/metal. all the others listen to rap and r/b (because they think there cool then)

I'm tired of those bloody genres too Freddy, I'm ready to throw the top 20 out into space and be rid of it for good, give me some good rock or grunge anyday.

in some way tv helps it too (here in holland at least)

all the day long it's always: rap, r/b, hip hop and pop music. and sometime's crappy soft rock (loser bands like the rasmus and stuff like that)

the only time when real (good rock) and metal come's on tv is on Wednesday in the evening (from 9 pm) and still then sometime's a stupid rap song come's along

but if it's one of those nights that only rap come's. you never see any rock songs (or other typ of music) coming on :mad:

they should show more Hard-Rock and Metal on tv

but they don't because of the Language that is in it
like they don't curse in non rock songs.

-----------------

A lot of people used to classify me as "goth" (lol a lot still do...) and it honestly pisses me off. There are so many poser-goths out there. They're all wrapped up in making sure everyone else knows they're a pseudo-"suicidal badass" that they miss what the whole Goth movement is really about.

I hated how my church would label me as a "satanist" when I would come to church with my dark makeup and clothes. I prefer to act the same all the time, thus being the "real" me all the time as well. I hate putting up stupid fronts. I'm not saying that I always goth up or that I only do it when I'm going to the mall or something, but it is instead something that follows my mood.

I look forward to death and the afterlife. I will admit that. And I love black, but I also love other colors. And I don't think I'm a badass. I'm just some stupid girl that doesn't know much about anything, let alone myself. And I'm bloody moody. And I don't fit into any one group, and probably never will.

Still, I love the Goth culture probably more than any other subgroup just because of its dark beauty.

Wow. Well just because you wear black doesn't mean that you are gothic. And that is cool that you like the color black. I mean I like that color as well and I wear it often.

Yeah there is alot of gothic posers. And alot of my friends are like that. I want to look kind of gothic and my attitude is like that naturally. But right now I look more like a perfect doll. That is why everyone in my school calls me fasion designer or perfect.

I also think that is mean that your church labels you as a stanist. Just because you wear dark makeup doesn't mean that you are not a Christian. I wear those types of clothing at my church and people do the same thing as me. And it drives me nuts because I am not trying to act werid or anything I am trying to be myself as well.

Well your more brave than me. That is what I will say. I only look forward to death when I am feeling down or when something bad happens to me. And I agree with what you say totally.

death is a part of life. i have no fear of dieing.

Yeah, Victoria, people can be stupid, especially (at times) Christians. Still, don't let it get to you. Just explain WHY you dress/act that way. I finally snapped and chewed out a lot of people a while back at my Church, and realized that is NOT the way to go about it. Don't make the same mistake I did.

Neat. Well guys and gals thanks for the advice. I will use it when I go to church next time. And you are also right about that Christian stuff as well. That is why sometimes I think alot of Christians should look at the inside of the soul and heart of a person than their outsides. However most Christians dont do that in these days. Which is sad to me. And FK I am glad that you are not afraid of dieing. I am still afraid of dieing sometimes but whenever I am gloomy I really am not afraid. Also happy Thanksgiving to all you people.

Well, I dress in black, well a lot, and I have been asked whether I am gothic once, and no more afterwards.

First of all, I would like to state that I have no problems with anyone except those who force their ideas onto me. Yes, that is why I am atheist and I hate television commercials. Gothic people interest me. Not much by their lifestyle, but rather by their clothing and cosmetic appearance. Now, before you start shouting at me that being Gothis is about much more than that, remember that the most obvious thing about stereotypical groups are appearances and the way they generally act.

A nerd is someone with geeky clothes, glasses and who is generally smart with computers. A hippy is someone who smokes pot in the park and preaches for peace on earth. A gothic is someone who wears black clothing and is generally very inwards.

Now, by those standards, I could call myself Gothic, but I simply do not feel I belong to such a group. I much rather listen to a good piece of Bach than the music genres that appeal to Gothic people, and I like the variety different styles of music bring me.

Again, this acts from a stereotype, and again, I realise being gothic is a lot more than that.

I have always tried to look at myself as an individual. I realise that I a may be a very egocentric person, but I also realise that I am not part of some group that places limitations on my behaviour. I sometimes appear entirely in white at school, and occasionally in blue jeans with a badly picked coloured t-shirt. Frankly, I don't all that much care about clothing, jewelry or apparel. I am much more interested in a good debate and learning new stuff.

Do I push myself away from society? Perhaps, but I do not vew myself as being capable of such an act. I do not feel like I need to be part of something, but I do not fear it either. Basically, I would not mind being Gothic, as in my view, but I do not feel particulary attracted to it either.

And besides, my views on Religion and the Terroristic stance of our western governments makes me controversial (odd isn't it ;)) enough already, so I have no need to become even more so controversial ;).

Now again, I'm acting on a generalisation, a stereotype. If you feel I have a wrong view of that stereotype, feel free to correct me :D.

Mr U

Goths in farm country (AKA Indiana in the states). Kinda scary.....