New to Goth

[Solumina]

Originally Posted by Tobi Addams

Yet there is no shortage of goths who say that if you don't listen to the music, then you're not goth.

Go back and read my post again, it does not say what you seem to think it says.

[Jonathan]

Goth is a convenient catch-all term, potentially covering a lot of ground. Even if you try to restrict it to "the music" you have a lot of ground to cover. Within the spectrum, you've got the classic goth rock, ebm which sounds nothing like it at all but still gets a hell of a lot of play in clubs catering to the genre, 80's stuff.. It's all over the place.

I like some gothy stuff. There's some of it that's just flat out embarrassing. That covers not just the music but also a lot of the writing, artwork, clothing, and socialization you'll find under that umbrella. Nine times out of ten I can visit a club and spend an evening when I'd be hard pressed to make it a full hour in most bars. Same goes for striking up a conversation with new "goths" (here defined as people that I run into a club, coffee house, bookstore, concert, on the street, etc that look like they are putting in some effort to present themselves in a certain spooky, eclectic, macabre, or whatever manner).

[Pineapple_Juice]

Your mom's eclectic and macabre.

[Solumina]

Dude, my mom is totally eclectic and macabre (you know, other than the whole hugging everyone thing).

[Tobi Addams]

I was thrilled when my mom announced that Autumn is her favorite season and that Halloween is her (second) favorite Holiday. She loves buying spooky decorations, the more realistic and gory, the better she says.

[Sinjob]

Originally Posted by Tobi Addams

Now, now, snark, while an acceptable answer, doesn't push the issue forward.

But it's true. Unless you're a grave digger or work at a haunted house.