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eh, it's a label. the more you try to define it, the more you realize how relative the term is, like with most anything nowadays. Myself, I think a lot of the fetish gear, tats, piercings and "gothic night club" clothing looks awesome though I myself dress pretty casual usually. I love a lot of industrial metal and 'gothic' music. I like a lot of art and other things involved with that aesthetic. I love androgyny and pagan imagery. I love Nietzschean philosophy to some degree and hate oppressive organized religion.

But as you said, I also listen to all sorts of music. I also read comic books and watch pro wrestling* (note below), so I'm not exactly a 'goth' but I do like a lot about the subculture. I hate the whole super depressed thing. BUT..............I do share their disdain and sheer mother fvcking boredom with status quo elitists who think inside the box.Maybe they don't dress in all black because they're 'depressed'. maybe they just think Hollister is for f@ggots. (word not meant in an anti-gay way. I'm bi)

*i realize it's staged, but so is theatre. the characters and stories make it, which it wouldn't have if it were 'real'. much like the comic book 'universe', it's more an ESCAPE from reality to me.

Goth: This is short for Gothic.....Goth has its roots in the Gothic era of Europe, much of which is still visible today, from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, to Notre Dame Cathedral, to Tower Bridge (in London). However the current Gothic "revival", dubbed the Goth culture, sprouted up in the 1970s. During that time flashy bright colors were in, as was Disco music and elevated visibility of drug use. Goth began as an offshoot of Punk, focused on silently and peacefully revolting against Disco. While black clothing is preferred, it is not mandatory. Furthermore, there is no single correct definition of what Goth is... each Goth may tell you a different version. Some like vampires, others do not. Vampires are a Gothic "item", like Tower Bridge, but Goths are not vampires. Two things that seemingly ALL Goths share universally are self-expression and acceptance of others. They are generally artistic, thoughtful, and questioning people, typically welcoming of others unless mocked or provoked.

Goth is a music genre that started after punk rock; it's a musical subculture. It references ''Gothic'' which is seeing beauty in darkness and nostalgia.

Yes, Gothic architecture, art, and literature, had a huge inspiration on Goth Rock; we are a huge fan of it as well, but when referring to modern ''Goth'' we are referring to the Goth subculture only. Before the Goth subculture people didn't label themselves ''Goths.'' And we are not the Germanic tribe that sacked Rome. lol

Anyways take care. :)

-Shadow's Bat

To me, Victorian dress and way of life has nothing to do with gothic.... You show an interest in another era - I feel the same way. I love tea, dressing up, sewing, reading, art, poetry, flowers.

If you want to throw feminine clothing into your wardrobe, you should do so. Be your own person - I think it is great!

Thank God I`m a country boy! Goth to me is a phase that a lot of teens are going through as a coping mechanism these days, it`s a chance to attach ones self to things higher than themselves, and throughout life there are times we need that but during the teens it seems especially important.

Black, white, old and bleak.

those things about the cutting and stuff are emo i think... but anyways i think goth people are people who have nothing better to do but be depressed