Explain "goth" to me... in your own words (not references online).?

When I was your age, lo those many years ago, I was "gothic", too. As in a Goth, or a Visigoth, or a Hun.

We would wear armor and tunics and beat the living crap out of ourselves, and feast and fornicate and frolic.

It was a blast. We did it on the weekends.

If your Goth-ism is confined to your private life, or if you have found a public life that can accommodate, more power to you.

For me, unfortunately, the broadsword and chain mail did not fit in my cubicle at MegaCorpIncLLC, so I had to give it all up. I still have the armor.

As to how others see you, well sugar, who gives a flying fig? I mean, if they are so boring and narrow minded that the color of YOUR hair, the number of holes in YOUR head, the metalic decorations on YOUR wardrobe, are terribly upsetting to them, then they should close their eyes.

I am proud that there are artistic (and literate) intelligent and imaginative people like you around. You make the world a more interesting place.

Thanks.

It is just a lifestyle based on the gothic novels and on the gothic rock music. Some examples of bands: Nighwish, Within Temptation. Clothing: long, black dresses, chains, skulls....creepy stuff.

Goth to me is how some people perceive certain emotions, however instead of keeping their prospectives oral or written they wish to manifest them into physical qualities- such as the clothes and makeup they choose to wear and then label themselves goth.

For the most part though I don't think anyone can really consider themselves as being truly 'goth'- it's just people following the ways of those before them and mostly submitting to the influence of those who you feel accepted by. People who claim to be goth due so in order to feel or be different when in reality there just like everyone else just fancier so to say.

Bands I consider Gothic are: Joy Division, Eternal Tears of Sorrow, Tristania, Sisters of Mercy, Draconian, Lacuna Coil, Cinema Strange, Type O Negative.

My idea of a goth woman is one with very pale milky white skin, black hair, heavy dark eyeliner and extravagantly long false eyelashes, and one who wears beautiful Victorian corsets and chunky crucifixes.

I think it's interesting. I also love Poe, but I am not gothic. I think gothic has many stereotypes, but what you describe is exactly what I see true gothic as. I hate people who confuse "Emo" with "Gothic" because they are entirely different. I think it's wonderful that you are who you are. ♥

Oh and babe, ignore Klamen. He seems like a real jerk. Be who you want to be. You are inspiring.

Influenced by the writings of certain authors, such as Bram Stoker, the Brontes, Jane Austin, Anne Rice, and

Horace Walpole. People who take on the fantasy-horror aesthetic and feeling tone.

[Please don't get offended by this, just answering your question] To me, I always thought goths were the type of people who have black rooms, black clothes, black makeup, black shoes, black EVERYTHIN. and usually wear black eyeliner and/or lipstick. have a room full of posters of goth bands, cds of goth bands, had many piercings in weird places, hung around only other goths, and had a funky hairdo lol. oh and lots of candles in their rooms that were blk or plain yellow. and of course, wear clothes from hot topic?

but its just another stupid way to discriminate people and turn everyone against each other

Based on my limited contact: Losers who cut themselves and try to look like corpses.

To me, goth means different.

Halloween isnt till october you freaks.