Wowee what a question... when faced with such a thing, I am not so much stumped but rather full of word vomit. I can describe, explain, analyse, pick apart specifics, tell you a metric f<3k tonne about the different types and cliches and common misconceptions however, these people who ask are often of the narrow minded sort and require the briefest of answers.
So, what does one do when faced with such a vague and demanding query?
Easy, just find a blunt object and bash the asker around the head a few times before running home and hiding in your blackest mink blanky.
Wrong.
It's a lot harder than that.
The Oracle of "Wiki" has told me that,
Goth is: 1. A member of a Germanic people that invaded the Roman Empire from the east between the 3rd and 5th Century yadda yadda....
And, *cringes*
2. A) a style of Rock Music derived from Punk, typically with apocalyptic or mystical lyrics.
B) a member of a subculture favoring black clothing, white and black make up and Goth music.
Oh dear. Seems the all knowing Wiki isn't even on the right track... One can go to Urban Dictionary and get a more accurate description.
Well then, lets have a go at cracking this case wide open? What do we all have in common?
Black clothing (at least the base of all our get ups are black), we stand out (most of the time at least), a lot of Goths I have met dye their hair (most of them go for raven black) or modify their appearance in some way e.g. piercings, tattoos, scarification, contact lenses, dramatic makeup so on so forth.
So Goth has a look, but what about character?
From my experience, Goths are usually pretty cheerful people despite common misconception. However, quite a few are arrogant, pretentious, vain and/or completely self involved and emotional beings, intelligent, creative, confident (most of the time) and lead very interesting lives. So basically, just NORMAL HUMAN BEINGS.
My quest for finding the purest definition of "Goth" is never ending. For the most part, our wardrobe is at least 50% black, we are creative on a morbid and theatrical plane and we tend to like the same kind of music. Also, Goth is unlimited. We can go anywhere with it. So finding a brief definition that captures the true essence of what it is to be in the subculture is nearly impossible. Even Liisa Ladouceur, author of Encyclopedia Gothica wrote 295 pages JUST on Goth to cover about 85% of its basis.
Great read by the way highly recommended for the wit and wealth of smarts
However to all new comers and those intrigued by the scene, I give you this:
Goth is a subculture of people with similar tastes in fashion, music and literature that lean towards the occult, the taboo and the darker side of reality to embrace its beauty.
That is as simple as I can get without being stereotypical or bashing your head in.
And I now present to you, your very own Goth card:
Use with the greatest caution and, don't be a Gothier than thou twat, ohkai?
Listening to: American Beauty/American Psycho by Fall Out Boy
So Goth has a look, but what about character?
From my experience, Goths are usually pretty cheerful people despite common misconception. However, quite a few are arrogant, pretentious, vain and/or completely self involved and emotional beings, intelligent, creative, confident (most of the time) and lead very interesting lives. So basically, just NORMAL HUMAN BEINGS.
My quest for finding the purest definition of "Goth" is never ending. For the most part, our wardrobe is at least 50% black, we are creative on a morbid and theatrical plane and we tend to like the same kind of music. Also, Goth is unlimited. We can go anywhere with it. So finding a brief definition that captures the true essence of what it is to be in the subculture is nearly impossible. Even Liisa Ladouceur, author of Encyclopedia Gothica wrote 295 pages JUST on Goth to cover about 85% of its basis.
However to all new comers and those intrigued by the scene, I give you this:
Goth is a subculture of people with similar tastes in fashion, music and literature that lean towards the occult, the taboo and the darker side of reality to embrace its beauty.
That is as simple as I can get without being stereotypical or bashing your head in.
And I now present to you, your very own Goth card:
Listening to: American Beauty/American Psycho by Fall Out Boy
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