What Is Goth?

[Jazzmine]

I have heard this mentioned before and am just curious. What exactly is Goth?

[eaglewolf]

I am not an authority but I know it to have several meanings...

Here is an outline of one modern perspective :

http://www.scathe.demon.co.uk/histgoth.htm

Here is an overview of historic Goth culture :

http://www.britannica.com/seo/g/goth/

I have seen the first description used on this site, but the latter explanation can be just as valid.

Hope this helps...

~ew

[eaglewolf]

Am I the only one with anything to say about Goth?

Where's Shatav when we need her?

:p

~ew

[mol]

Yah....I that would be my pick on someone to answer. i dont know much about the Goth history and culture, but I know someone must!

[Shatav]

*wears her Goth glasses*

I'm here, sorry! Darn work for actually making me work. Actually, that page ew gave pretty much says it all!

It's an alternative culture of people who are characterized by clothing, make-up and music tastes. Generally, I have always viewed Goth as being vampiric in nature, and most of the music and clothing would point to that as well.

General picture of a Goth: Dyed black hair, heavy black make-up around eyes and lips black, pale skin, clothing black, generally renaisance in style with corsettes and big sleeves (though this is often crossed over with modern leather and patent leather), brooding expression.

Typical Music choices: Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy, Type-O Negative, Switchblade Symphony, Portishead...etc, etc.

There's also a very underlying personality stereotype that Goths are known for as well...depressed, quiet, moody (not moody as in violent mood swings, but moody as in deep emotions underlying a more silent exterior.) I actually saw a site once that made the ex-Goth in me almost die laughing. It was set up like a nano-pet, but the idea was to make it Goth, so you refused feedings, mentally and verbally abused it and whatnot until it became a quiet and depressed little creature. Anyway, pretty funny if you've ever been Goth.

Anyway, hope that helps!

[Sleeping Ghost]

I consider myself a goth, so here are my views on it...

Looks-
Black clothes
Black nailpolish (even guys)
Black lipstick and eyeliner (girls)
Black trenchcoat or other dark colored outer coat

Some goths are very depressed individuals,
others (like me), just... ARE very dark reclusive indivuals
most goths aren't depressed we are actually quite happy.
I like the group because they accept you for who you are, even if you aren't a "hardcore" person.

Tip: For fun during the school day walk up behind a "Preppy" individual (pretty closely) and just follow them around even after they look at you strange the will eventually just get real scared and give you money or something, then you can laugh as they run off. Alternatively, you can just stare at a person across the room for a whole class period. Just watch the looks on their faces as the continue looking over and seeing a "Dark" individual starting at them!!! :)

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
This has nothing to do with the modern Goths,who seem to be described really well here.
Historically,the Goths were Germanic tribes.One was called the Visigoths.They overthrew Rome in the 400s AD,sacked and plundered the whole place.
Peace and love
Rain BrightStar

[Jazzmine]

Thank you for your replys. They have been very helpful. My son has a few friends at school
that are Goths, so I was just wondering. All of his friends that I have met are pretty funny,
I mean a good sense of humor. He says he likes those guys because they mess with peoples
heads kinda like Sleeping Ghost said. I think that's funny. Anyway, thank you all.

[Shatav]

Originally posted by Sleeping Ghost
Some goths are very depressed individuals,
others (like me), just... ARE very dark reclusive indivuals
most goths aren't depressed we are actually quite happy.

Oh, I agree completely! Sorry if I gave that impression. No, it's more in moodiness...dark and reclusive as you put it.


Alternatively, you can just stare at a person across the room for a whole class period. Just watch the looks on their faces as the continue looking over and seeing a "Dark" individual starting at them!!! :)

*LOL* I just used to go out to eat a really nice restaurants. Funny how they always tried to find the farthest corner to put you in. And even then, everyone else around you still watched you closely as they ate. ;)

[Shatav]

Jazzmine,

As sleeping said, Goths are really generally harmless. They just like to stand out in their own way, but are accepting of you as long as you are accepting of them. They like to stand against the status quo, as with many other sub-cultures of people, but not to harm, just to let the world know that there's more out there than their rose-filled world. IMHO, of course, as always.

[Jazzmine]

Shatav,

Thanks again, I didn't at all believe that Goth's were in any way a 'bad' group of people. Seeing as how I am pagan and others think that of pagans, it keeps you open to different people and different ways of life. My 17 year old son has told some people at his school that I am a Witch, but they think he's saying i'm mean. Thank the Goddess, in a small community like this one they'd probably try to run me out of town.

[random]

I'm Goth, so here it goes:

IMHO, you cannot *used* to be goth.
once goth always goth, its not a phase. and its not just teens.
most of us are harmless, but then again there are the wacked individ's who can create damage wherever they go.
i find goth to be a style and a way of thinking. Most are intellectual and genius in their own little way, but then again there are the moronic type who always piss people off and annoy them.

i am not considered harmless, well, because i live in a small town and everyone knows that im a witch ... they think im going to cast on them.. they lead sad lives.

usually i am ok. (ok for me being not having a break down.)
this (school) year has just been bad for me.
and today after a clas trip, i realized something that i felt about someone, and that i shouldnt feel this way... but i dont want to get into that.

I am happy the way i am.

[Tiny_Wick]

At first, I would have liked to say that the sterotypical black clothing and Vampirc nature was a sterotype...
But I thought,
and most Gothic cultre in nature in fact came from Death Muzak, and dark rockers....
Which then spewed into a subcultue....
So, I would still (through my teeth)
Say that more then anything it's a mind-set, BUT!
It's a subculture, in which Fashion and Music are a BIG part of that culture....I still don't think their is an actual definition tho....