Goths tend to have a dark and perverse sense of humor, a love of history, literature, and music, and far too many bottles of black nail polish. But trying to slot goths into orderly little sections is pretty much impossible. The spectrum of interests, styles, and activities is far too broad. Sometimes the clothes can be a clue, but not always. Just look for that appreciation of darkness--that's the most reliable indicator.
The "classic" goth music scene and the industrial music scene, there are people on both sides who shun the other. Some goths who like the "classic" look of velvet and lace look down upon goths who prefer fishnet and leather. Some goths who like pop-culture entertainments and things that are lighthearted are ostracized by others who believe that nothing is worthwhile unless it is obscure and dark. Like any culture, it has divisions and cliques.
Being goth is, in the end, a form of tribalism, a way for people of like interests and mindset to find each other and have a place to belong. Like most tribes, goths will often try to keep out those who are not "of" the tribe (hence the pretentiousness and disdain for "poseurs"). But it can also be a wonderfully welcoming and comfortable place for those who do fit in, and full of patience and enthusiasm for people who are genuinely interested in finding out what we're about. Goths will try to keep out those who don't belong and those who are interested in exploiting us because we look different and have interests outside the mainstream; but we will also try to protect our own. For someone who doesn't feel that they really "fit in" with mainstream culture, discovering gothdom can be a wonderful feeling.
Of course, this is just the URBAN definition - we needn't forget the extinct Germanic tribe.
However, another note, there is no such thing as "goth" literature, or "goth" architecture, despite what many would lead you to believe. Please refer to gothic
"Goths are not really that terribly different from any other subculture. They just dress more imaginatively"
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Culture devoloped from punk in 1979. Sterotype wears black clothes, nail polish, eyeliner and has black hair and listens to the very un-goth Marilyn Manson.
Many types of goth. Examples:
CYBER GOTH
Loves plastic, nightclubs and the future. Loves (gasp!) bright colors and usually has plastic hair.
VAMPIRE GOTH:
Often Satanic. Sucks blood from partner and has sex in coffins.
ROMANTIC GOTH:
Very elegant. Wears lots of velvet and lace. Aims for Medieval/Victorian look. Loves vampires and poetry.
POSER GOTH:
Listens to Marilyn Manson. Wears only black. Is a right saddo.
Goth music: Bauhaus, The Cure, Switchblade Synphony, etc. MARILYN MANSON AND LINKIN PARK ARE NOT GOTH MUSIC.
Remember, GOTH is just a label made up by a bunch of losers to call the darker ones.. Real 'goths' do not label themselves. A self-proclaimed goth = big poser. Gothic stereotype = morbid, suicidal and black-clad. Not always true. You could dress like PARIS HILTON and still be part of the 'goth' scene.
'That dress is so 'gothic!' (Phrase often used by preps when entering poser clothing store Hot Topic.
'I'm not a goth.' said Lulu.
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there are two ways to look at the word goth, u can see the 'phase' side where kids do it mostely for attention and pretend to be depressed and grow out of it after a year or so the second is the much more realistic yet more rare side to the meaning goth, firsty 99% of them dont worship satan 98% of them are not and proably never will be insane and pretty much all of them (who aren't in the phase group) are just being them and are just making there mind up about music, clothes and there attitude towards life. The steriotypical goth wears black with maybe a bit of red or purple, has alot of silver and listens to heavy matel/goth music yes its true this is proably a goth but goths arent alway like that. to put a label on someone is wrong but in this sense its just the most common way of life
"he's wearing black, he's different, lets go beat him up"
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As a subculture: Goths are people who are obviously unique or different. Most choose to dress in black or darker colors showing what they feel for in life. Not like what alot of people say, Goths don't always wear black since they wear bright colors too. Also, not many Goths do suicide since that is stereo-typing. If you actually think about it, more Preps kill themsleves due to stress and pressure. Anyway, Goths are usually the ones who don't speak much, dyes their hair in strange colors, shows mostly dark, creative artwork, and such. They're not limelight hungry, they people who say they are, probbaly are. Goths are different, but that doesn't mean that they aren't human. To say, for whichever's better or worse, Goths are anything, but ordinary. It's not a crime to be beautiful, but it is one to take beauty away from others.
Prep->OmfG!! That Goth is so tacky. Like, just look at her clothes!
Goth->What'd you say?
Prep->Like you didn't hear me? I sai-
Goth->Fucking bitch. (straight-on punch to the face)
Prep->(falls down)omg..my make-up is ruined!!
Goth->As if I'd care..(walks off)
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a subculture known for unusual dress and tastes. black is usually the color of choice. there are different kinds of goths. cyber goths are known to wear more futuristic clothes and have multi colored hair (which is oftentimes worn in dreads). romantic goths are the "original". they dress usually in black with dark makeup. goths are known to appreciate the unique genres of music. electronica, new wave, industrial, ebm, and classical being most popular. many are considered to be above normal in intelligence and are often extremely contemplative in nature.
examples of music : depeche mode, new order, the cure, orgy, visage, duran duran, missing persons, combichrist, kmfdm, nine inch nails, bauhaus, joy division (post punk, but ian curtis' dark vocals put the band in a "gothic" category) nick cave and the bad seeds....all examples of true gothic music.
examples of clothes : thrift store finds. as stated earlier, oftentimes black. lacey, antique looking gloves and shirts. doc maertens. thigh high black boots. bats, graves, ghosts are common jewelry themes. dark and unusual.
i identify myself as goth, so ask me some questions and i will answer to the best of my ability.
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Goths do not and have NEVER liked metal of any kind. Metal fans who call themselves Goth are wannabes. Perioid. Goth generally ONLY listen to Gothic music which sounds NOTHING like metal. Goths hate metalheads and Goths hate emo kids. 96% of the people who use the word Goth have NO IDEA what it means.
Goths think metal fans are white trash.
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Someone that doesn't follow the norm of society. A very artistic person that doesn't have to follow the stereotypes given by gay ass preps. They don't have to follow a certain "dress code" or religeon. They can be Catholic, Protestant, Jewish or whatever.
1)I dress gothic every day and go to a Catholic church in my daily attire.
2)A Catholic school kid blessed himself when I walked by after school, LOL!!
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