Does this topic belong in the "whining" subforum? The initial post something reasonable to think about.

I am not a goth. I look like a conformist. I'm oldfashioned, yeah. But I'm also interested in what others have to say otherwise I wouldn't be here. Let me try to provide a view from a non-goth.

I see people dressed like Goth's. Perhaps they are New Wavers or Punkers, I can't tell. It's not my world and it never was. I think I could recognize somebody that is Goth though.
So I see them (with my eyes only): dressed in black. Okay. Black makeup. Black lips. Makes the lips too thick, but that's purely physical and my personal opinion. Not interesting yet. Black eyes! Wtf? Hoe "death-like" can you pretend to be? What's that supposed to mean? Why so much black make-up around the eyes? And and and... why don't I see them smile? I never see them smile. And they certainly don't smile at me. Do I look that much like a conformist? I'll never ever betray you man. I"ll never ever judge you before I know you and even then!
What's up with all that? Goth's look like death, unhappy, look often unfriendly in my world and have that "air" like slightly rich people do when they think they are more than a simple working class man.

Badteccy, the "looks" are only a part of the whole - although that excessive black make-up hides a lot of you. When I see a smiling "Goth", it's going to make it a whole lot easier for me to ask "why" or "how are you doing".

Not all goths look like death, unhappy, or unfriendly. I'm the friendliest chick you'll ever meet. And PS-- I don't wear makeup. That's right, none. And very few of my friends have EVER worn black lipstick... Although my friend Missy wears blue to match her hair.

Gretchen, I don't mean to be rude by asking this, but if you have such a negative impression of goths, why would you join a website called "gothic.net"?

I believe you misunderstood my post. Please do mind that what you see are words. Perception is our enemy right now.

I push the buttons of my keybord, producing words on my monitor. Soon I'll share the words with you after clicking the "Post Quick Reply" button. As long as I type I have a certain feeling that go with the typed words, phrases or whole sentences. I know exactly how the sounds go with the words.

Then I press the Reply button. The words leave...

The feelings I had never leave - they stay with me. You receive the Internet Protocoll packets only - translated in recognizable words. It's your turn. I depend on you, no matter how hard I tried to say something. All there's left is my behaviour, something that takes time for you or anyone to interpret correctly. And even then the dangers of perception remain.

I'm here aren't I?
:)

I'm aware of the fact that tone is difficult to convey over the internet. If you feel I misunderstood, I would appreciate some clarification.

:)

Words have their limits indeed huh? We shared quite a few today. Let's take a break. Well, let me take a break haha :D.

See you tomorrow perhaps.
Goodnight all.

Demoness- sorry, I should have been clearer. Those who define themselves as goth and do the cutting thing don't seem to have half a brain. Intellience and sense are very different. I know many intelligent people, but few with a basic grasp of sense or reality.
And anyway... those within a real goth subculture (by this I mean a group of friends within the lifestyle) tend to be supportive and help people over emotional problems to end the cutting. Those who are spurred on are either very foolish or else are being manipulated by peer pressure and other foolishness.
Anyway. To be honest, my only real objection to cutting (aside from the ugliness of it and the emotional damage to the person and their friends) is that Goths who cut make Normals think that more Goths cut, and it's popular to take one Goth to be the epitome of all others, thus bringing further disrepute upon our culture. I dislike people making razor comments as I walk down the street.

This is, of course, simply my view. One of my good friends cuts herself, and at the moment I'm weaning her off it, since it simply compounds the problems she has. Those with enough intelligence know not to- those who do it despite intelligence need help not to. Those who continue even beyond this are a lost cause.

Simple
 

Simple, people are closed minded and don't want to listen,learn or know the person before judging.

There was a specific survey that was a given while back, it concluded that 1/4 of the American population is STUPID.

Don't you all watch South Park?

In my opinion, it most certainly depends on where you live when it comes to the type of social rejection you receive. For example, if you live in the country or a small town, your the one most likely to be accused of killing the neighbors dog and serving him at the local diner. As for the city, most people are used to seeing the unusual and have a tendency to throw it over their shoulders more often.

Where I live, the people who reject you by your looks are the chavs. I don't care how I look, I dress how I want to but if chavs see one person who looks "different" to them, they'll throw tons of insults at you and shout "GOTH" in the middle of the street. They usually come in herds too.

lol...that's really funny...what would they do if you walked past with an entire horde of anti-chavs? i'm willing to bet they'd crap themselves if we showed them just how many of us there are!