Goth vs. Just plain Weird.

[Tam Li Hua]

Do you think there's a difference between being part of the Goth subculture in order to 'freak people out', and just being weird?

I was a weird kid in high school, and folks avoided me like the plague. Now I ascribe to the Goth subculture as an adult, and I get a lot of complements on my style.

BTW, this was brought to mind when I ventured over to this thread in that other Goth forum. For some reason, folks who dress unusually on purpose, and then complain about being looked at oddly, bothers me.

Anyways, feel free to give your thoughts.

[a morbid curiosity]

Gothic attire isn't really unusual, though.

[chelseagirl]

I think there are those who dress "gothy" because it is what they genuinely find beautiful, and how they feel comfortable...

and there are those who dress "gothy" solely for attention, or to freak people out or be rebellious.

[Tam Li Hua]

Originally Posted by a morbid curiosity

Gothic attire isn't really unusual, though.

True. But there still seem to be the kids like chelseagirl describes who only dress 'Goth' in order to 'freak people out'.

[jack_the_knife]

There are people that abuse goth attire solely to alienate others. I don't find it wrong or annoying at all, I find it quite amusing. Quite like watching kids dress up as their idols.

[Duane]

They don't just dress up like their idols, they dress down as their idols, too.

[Tralis]

I think that there's definitely a difference between Goth attire that's subtle and aethetically apealing as to more extreme attire that's just plain wierd. Oddly enough, the people who declare themselves Goth but look like total freaks seem to be less into Goth music in general. I think that's the point, that Goth subculture holds in it a specific aesthetic that I find quite beautiful and that those who dress more XTREME-ly Goth are actually less in tune with the real point of the subculture. That's just my two cents.

[Maggoty Anne]

I wear what I think is pretty. I do value individualism, perhaps a bit too much, but I have never dressed the way I do to freak people out. I do enjoy the attention dressing in this fashion gets me, obviously, and I think there is nothing wrong with that.

Digressing here: I hate Goth.net, it's so hard to read their red on black posts. So now I've judged all who frequent that site as mallgoth types, despite the fact that I've only read, like, 2 threads. Pinch me.

[Underwater Ophelia]

If you're dressing solely to freak people out, you're not goth.

[Elysiume]

*Pinches*

I wear whatever I want, to a certain extent. I know it freaks some people out, and a get a lot of abuse because of it, but I just feel uncomfortable wearing clothes not of my own choosing. That being said, sometimes it's just easier to dress normally, to avoid people getting at you. It almost feels like you're wearing a disguise. I am an Aspie, so I've always had trouble fitting in anyway. In some ways, goth is a scapegoat for my weirdness.

[Underwater Ophelia]

I really wish people would stop using Aspberger's as an excuse for things and broadcasting it.

And what the fuck is up with being "an Aspie?" No, you're not an "Aspie" you have Aspberger's.

[Tam Li Hua]

I dunno; there just seems to be more real input on goth.net than here, so I like going there occasionally.

[Elysiume]

Originally Posted by Underwater Ophelia

I really wish people would stop using Aspberger's as an excuse for things and broadcasting it.

And what the fuck is up with being "an Aspie?" No, you're not an "Aspie" you have Aspberger's.

I'm not using it as excuse, it's a legitimate reason for not fitting in well. And why can't I broadcast it?
What is the difference? They mean the same thing.

[Underwater Ophelia]

Originally Posted by Elysiume

I'm not using it as excuse, it's a legitimate reason for not fitting in well. And why can't I broadcast it?
What is the difference? They mean the same thing.

It IS an excuse for not fitting in. Everyone has problems. Some people get over them, and some people use them as crutches.

Didn't say you can't broadcast it. You already have. I think it's tacky and attention whoring. You want to be special, but you're not, so you tell everyone you're "an Aspie." It's exactly the same as when people go around talking about their bi-polar disorder or bulimia.

And it's not the same. People who have Aspberger's are people who are working through living their lives in spite of being born with a challenge.
"Aspies" are people who want everyone to know how special they are so people look the other way when they do things that are wrong, whether or not it was caused by the disease to being with.

[Tam Li Hua]

Ophie, you're over-reacting.

[Saya]

Originally Posted by Tam Li Hua

Ophie, you're over-reacting.

I don't think so, it is pretty annoying that people will broadcast their disorders, as if it makes them special in some way.

Anyway, back to topic.....you were.....cheating on us...?

A lot of people do dress for attention, and then complain when they get it XD Its just another example of attention whoring. Although some people can dress rather freaky-ish and pull it off really well, and they'll get more compliments than weird looks I think. And yeah, everyone started complimenting me once I started dressing gothyish.

[StrangeLove]

I don't think Ophelia is over-reacting. Trivializing mental disorders with nicknames, and broadcasting them from self diagnosis or probable doctor diagnosis on the internet does not help the case and looks rather ridiculous.

Dressing in all black, goth, whatever, is not unusual for me in any way. It's abnormal for me to wear bright colors, which I feel draws more attention than wearing all black. Therefore I do not feel "weird" wearing such clothing or listening to Goth music; I feel comfortable.

[jack_the_knife]

Hey, I'm an asthmatic, am I weird or special?

[Tam Li Hua]

Yes, I confess; I went on a date with Goth.net. It's not my fault!! She seduced me with her black and red texture!!!

Anyways, I guess I can see broadcasting it being annoying, and I -do- agree that no one should use it as an excuse to continue being socially awkward. At the same time, it can explain why they may feel a bit more out of the loop than most folks..

[Saya]

Originally Posted by jack_the_knife

Hey, I'm an asthmatic, am I weird or special?

Not as special as me, I have mild psoriasis on my elbows.

[StrangeLove]

I'm a pretty special anemic.

[PinstripesAndPithHelmets]

Originally Posted by StrangeLove

I'm a pretty special anemic.

The blood is the life, the blood is the life!

[Underwater Ophelia]

Originally Posted by Tam Li Hua

Yes, I confess; I went on a date with Goth.net. It's not my fault!! She seduced me with her black and red texture!!!

.

In all seriousness, you should probably stop talking about the other g.net. This g.net doesn't take kindly to advertising for other forums.

I was once temporarily banned for it.

[GothicChristian]

Originally Posted by StrangeLove

I'm a pretty special anemic.

Same here! With our low iron counts, we have less magnetism than other people! That's why we're socially awkward!

....

Le gasp! The horror, are you telling me that it's not because of my anemia that I have no friends! You lie!!! It's all LIES!!!


Eh... that wasn't as funny as it should have been.

....

Whatever.

[Tam Li Hua]

Ophie: I didn't think just talking about it was advertising it, but if it is, my most sincere apologies to the admin, I suppose...