Gothic.net Community - View Single Post

Stilicho · 03-24-2010, 04:12 PM

Age-wise, I just turned 40. Late to start Goth, no?

After all, I'm a happily married man, a school teacher by profession. Not exactly the stereotype of someone just starting this.

I have known many Goth folks over the course of my life, and some of them became some of my best friends. Sadly, due to circumstances and relocations I have lost contact with them.

While I knew them I distanced myself from the Goth subculture. I didn’t want them to think that I was somehow copying or imitating them.

But recently I find myself inexorably drawn to it. I love the literature, I love the music (it reminds me of my former punk days, but more – sophisticated), I love the style and aesthetic.

Yet I find myself in a quandary. I understand that the whole point of a subculture is that it is a culture, and that implies socialization and interaction with others from that culture. But as a 40 year old married parent, I can’t see myself suddenly running off to the clubs to dance to “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” in the immediate future – and somehow I feel wrong to proclaim membership in a group without being somehow an active participant.

So – any tips on how to make this my own, while at the same time not alienating the non-Goths in my life and/or losing my job? Any fashion tips for a gentleman of a certain age while you’re at it?

And, while we're at it - I'm sadly familiar with flame-wars...

Ever hear of the forum "rpg.net?" Picture 30,000 gamers, all angry, all the time. I'm a forum moderator over there. Here, come sit on the porch steps and let me tell you a story about the 'Nam...

03-24-2010, 04:12 PM	#3
Stilicho Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2	Age-wise, I just turned 40. Late to start Goth, no? After all, I'm a happily married man, a school teacher by profession. Not exactly the stereotype of someone just starting this. I have known many Goth folks over the course of my life, and some of them became some of my best friends. Sadly, due to circumstances and relocations I have lost contact with them. While I knew them I distanced myself from the Goth subculture. I didn’t want them to think that I was somehow copying or imitating them. But recently I find myself inexorably drawn to it. I love the literature, I love the music (it reminds me of my former punk days, but more – sophisticated), I love the style and aesthetic. Yet I find myself in a quandary. I understand that the whole point of a subculture is that it is a culture, and that implies socialization and interaction with others from that culture. But as a 40 year old married parent, I can’t see myself suddenly running off to the clubs to dance to “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” in the immediate future – and somehow I feel wrong to proclaim membership in a group without being somehow an active participant. So – any tips on how to make this my own, while at the same time not alienating the non-Goths in my life and/or losing my job? Any fashion tips for a gentleman of a certain age while you’re at it? And, while we're at it - I'm sadly familiar with flame-wars... Ever hear of the forum "rpg.net?" Picture 30,000 gamers, all angry, all the time. I'm a forum moderator over there. Here, come sit on the porch steps and let me tell you a story about the 'Nam...