Goth-Punk in China/Hong Kong, Etc.. - Page 3

Zenit · 11-12-2007, 07:25 AM

Hm, those are standards all "freaks" should meet, but what separates you from, let's say, punks? And is it true that the Chinese punk movement isn't political?

nosunshine · 11-12-2007, 09:19 AM

alls i gotta say is dont listen to em,rock out,and if your into it,cut yourself,and pop a pain pill,cant feel it,but it looks awsome

Tam Li Hua · 11-12-2007, 01:03 PM

I lived in China for a few years as a 'normal' person, pre-Goth...and, like it or not, the stares and the snickers and the questions would happen -regardless- of Gothicity; quite frankly, it would happen simply because you're from the ever-so-fascinating West. *shrug*

So, do whatever you want, but be prepared for plenty of discussion! [Who knows? You may start the trend for Goth in China!]

Tam Li Hua · 11-12-2007, 01:28 PM

A few pointers for Goths wanting to go to China:

1. If you're -really- desperate to get your hair colored, you'll have no problem finding all manner of colors at just about any salon. Your best bet is to make a good native friend, goth or not, so that they can show you where the good salons and stuff are.

2. If you want clothing, China has a TON of very inexpensive tailors that will make just about whatever you want. [This is another time that a native Chinese-speaking friend will come in very handy.] Granted, there isn't much dark clothing, but there -is- some.

3. Be prepared to explain what 'sub-culture' means. When I was there, it was sometimes difficult enough for the locals to understand normal American culture, and many thought that everyone was rich, blonde, fat, and living in Southern California, simply because that's how movies have portrayed us.

4. Remember that China has been a nation of conformity for thousands of years, and while we understand and love the idea of diversity in the West, it's a fairly new idea to the East. Patience and a sense of adventure are the key.

[ok, I think I'm done now. Sorry if any of that seems presumptuous..]

maggot · 11-12-2007, 08:14 PM

I wish we had cheap tailors.

I want a custom-made tailcoat and jodhpurs.

Lolly PopMuzik · 11-12-2007, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maggot

I wish we had cheap tailors.

I want a custom-made tailcoat and jodhpurs.

A gear riding outfit, perhaps?

maggot · 11-12-2007, 08:51 PM

I just dress funny. xD

Or like a Nazi. It depends on how you look at it.

dark_dragon_of_ice · 11-12-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maggot

I just dress funny. xD

Or like a Nazi. It depends on how you look at it.

If i may ask..How so like a Nazi? Do you wear Nazi uniforms?

maggot · 11-12-2007, 09:16 PM

Nope.

Living in one of the highest Jew-filled cities in America, though, people constantly ask me if I'm a Nazi.
I guess anything militaristic is Nazistic.

And my pants fit me weird, so they look like jodhpurs. :B

dark_dragon_of_ice · 11-12-2007, 09:19 PM

Thats an odd conclusion for them to come to.

maggot · 11-12-2007, 09:24 PM

I know; it really is.

Unfortunately, that's the way the tables turn.

dark_dragon_of_ice · 11-12-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maggot

I know; it really is.

Unfortunately, that's the way the tables turn.

I'm lucky..as have Jewish relatives people generally don't try and put that label on me. XD

maggot · 11-13-2007, 03:51 PM

I'm a Jew as well :B
I don't look like one though

(heartofflames) · 11-13-2007, 05:01 PM

um...I'm chinese...and this is sorta awkward.
However, the stuff there is cheap and attractive, but you need to know how to bargain if you don't want to be overpriced. ie: you can get a shirt for 10 bucks, but you can lower it down to 7.

Clockwork · 11-13-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maggot

I wish we had cheap tailors.

I want a custom-made tailcoat and jodhpurs.

I didn't see that coming.

GothicChristian · 11-13-2007, 05:33 PM

I suggest telling them, politely and neutrally, to the people around you why you dress the way you do. Be polite, you don't have to like them, or use a friendly tone, but if your polite, they'll get fed up and leave you alone.

maggot · 11-13-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clockwork

I didn't see that coming.

Why not? :B

Clockwork · 11-13-2007, 05:56 PM

You just don't seem like the Victorian type, is all

But go ahead, by all means. Tailcoats are the shit.

maggot · 11-13-2007, 06:17 PM

I just have a thing for tailcoats. xD

Blindness is Black · 11-13-2007, 06:20 PM

I visit China in the summer, and everyone stares at me strangely, not because I'm wearing black jeans in 36 degree C weather but because I have red bangs and makeup.

industrialgirl · 12-11-2007, 01:15 PM

thank you Cicero and Tam Li Hua. That was very helpful. And exactly as I suspected. I actually just dyed my hair from the bright pink that it used to be to a more subdued black with just a little bit of pink in places. So I won't have to bring over buckets of pink dye. Lol. I am actually really excited about the tailoring over there. I hear that it is pretty cheap to get stuff made for you, and I actually want to be a fashion designer, but don't have the patience or sewing skills to to make my own clothing.

I know that in the past few years Lacrimosa and Cruxshadows played shows over there...so I do have hope for the future of a goth scene. At least I know that the people over there are open to the idea. I guess the Lacrimosa show sold out 2 dates in Shanghai in a pretty big venue. Hopefully more bands will make the treck out there.

Less then 3 weeks before I move. WOW!

industrialgirl · 03-23-2008, 07:44 AM

Just thought I would update this. I have been in Shanghai for 2 months now, and have checked out a bunch of bars and clubs, and can safely say that there is NO goth night ANYWHERE. Occasionally they will have some one off night...there is usually one around Halloween with proper music, and there was a synthpop night that happened right after I moved here, but unfortunately I didn't go to it.

I have seen a few stores with clothing that I could make work in a gothy way. Some cute military inspired pieces, and found a g.****** store. And TONS of stuff that would with for a steampunk look. But no popular labels like Lip Service are here. I still have yet to check out the tailors.

As far as hair dye, I have had no luck finding bleach. I have checked all the grocery stores, and the western style drugstore, and nothing. Good thing I brought a bunch of manic panic and bleach with me.

Music, I will have to get off the internet. Even finding regular music stores is a chore over here. The bootleg business is so big over here, that it's practically impossible to find legit dvd, or music stores. And the ones that I do find only have a small selection of pop.

Yeah, I am pretty much hurtin over here. What I wouldn't give for a night at Das Bunker!

Rorschach Twin · 03-23-2008, 08:57 AM

Living in an area where communism is completely hated (America.. and the South, specifically), I have no idea what China is really like, so I must ask. Is it really that bad? I mean, I'm aware they have a lot of censorship (just take how they censored everything about the whole issue in Tibet..

beauismyhorse · 03-24-2008, 01:23 PM

A long time ago I wanted to move to Japan. I'm glad I stayed in America!

industrialgirl · 04-03-2008, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beauismyhorse

A long time ago I wanted to move to Japan. I'm glad I stayed in America!

I hear that Japan is a totally different story. They at least have REALLY kick ass shopping, and goth eye candy...because of the whole j-pop/visual k look that is so popular. I know that they at least have fetish nights cause I know Torture Garden does events there. Not quite sure how the goth scene is...although I do know bands have played there before. Ayria, and Noxious Emotion have been there...wouldn't doubt other bands have made a trip through as well.

So yeah...it's WAY better then China on the goth front. I can't wait to take a trip there.