Thanks, Silver. When one hears the same question over and over again, they tend to become really good at answering it. Hehe...I end up getting more and more in-depth every time.

But the most I worry about my clothing is if something matches or not.

If one truely dresses because it is the way that they want to dress, then they won't let naysayers bother them.

The ones who care are the ones who aren't truely goth. The posers. They are attention-starved, for the most part, and look at being goth (in their minds, anyway) as some sort of status symbol...

simply out of curiosity, are you agreeing with what i said?

lol...

Yeah, I was agreeing. Sorry.

ah, its good to know that was clarified for me, lol

please note that by expressing the following views, i dont mean to prove you wrong or disrespect you in any way, im just curious, thats all

i believe one will suffer mentally to a certain degree if given negative reactions with bad intentions, no matter how hard they try not to get affected negatively because its just human nature

it doesnt matter which state of mind one is in, meaning if they care about what people think about their appearance or not, the above will still happen to them

the question im trying to ask seems to keep getting ignored, not necessarily intentionally though

so if you would be kind to answer, keeping all the above in mind: do you think its worth applying/wearing dark clothes/makeup/jewellery/tattoos when you know you'll be faced with negative reactions with bad intentions which will affect you negatively to a certain degree? why or why not?

amen!

~bows~

A direct answer to a direct question. Yes, it's worth it if that's the image you wish to project, for two reasons...

1) Everyone receives negative treatment sometimes, regardless of how ordinary or bizarre they appear to others.

2) A fully grown adult who is secure, well balanced, and happy within themselves is not going to suffer any problems because of negativity from others, because they will have long since ceased to care about what people say about them...

I don't feel that its worth it to do it in the first place; therefore, I don't. To me, its petty and materialistic. I have gothic friends who do it. Whatever, I let them be.

The majority of Goths who do this whom I am friends with really DON'T care about it. Thats the honest truth.

And as Prometheus said, everyone gets put down sometimes, no matter how they look or whatever.

That it may be, but percentages far outweigh the clichés. One does not often see a "goth" wearing pastels and/or yellow for instance, however, there does exist sub genres within sub-cultures, so depending on that colouring and choice of clothing may differ. But generally speaking, "goth" encompasses anything and everything dark, which would include colour and how one expresses that through attire.

also, i tried to explain this earlier, but i guess you missed it or something, but anyways, i truly could not give 2 shits what someone calls me or says about me. I suffer in no way, shape, or form, i mean, really, i don't. I am sure others can say this too?

Well, I do have some yellow. Sure, dark colors are the most prevalent expression of it...I was just trying to drive the point home that it isn't a rule. As I sit here typing this, I have a pair of dark blue jeans on and a light grey shirt that says "Keep your nice day to yourself!" on it. It all comes down to personal preference.

Dress, music and personal style is very much a part of the expression of what "gothic" is about. Mary Poppins is not going to sell as a good example of what "goth" may look like for example, but then again neither are any of the Hollywood, greasy haired, sneakers and band T-shirt kids an example of the "general" appearance of "goth". Like I said, there are sub genres within a sub-culture, for as long as the notion of sub-cultures have existed, appearance/dress/attire has been the distinctive visual, offering instant recognition. People keep saying on this Forum "it's a state of mind", which of course it is, but that is only one aspect of it. It encompasses a way of life, and the moment that happens, this "way of life" is expressed IN one's life, which ultimately would result in the way one dresses, quite frankly. The exterior is representative of the interior.

too true

But there is a line that one can cross that for purposes of conversation lets call "sheep goth" to bring about a cease in uniqueness and expression. The gothic culture, in my opinion should be a stepping stone (preferable obsidian) to a higher level of developement.

And that would be....?

thats your choice...., disagree?

You're far too vauge for me to agree or disagree. I'm not sure of what you're alluding to.

I never denied that it can all be expressed in clothing. The mind-set will certainly be expressed in the lifestyle, but clothing is by no means a rule. Actions and words do quite a lot as well. Why confine yourself to a single style of dress? Spontanity (is this a word? It is now.) is where its at. Whether I wear Nike (ugh) or a random black shirt, it doesn't have any bearing on what I have inside. Sure, it might fool people around me, but why would I care about them?

I was alluding towards a higher divination of self, more understanding of ones life and dying state. Do you agree that being involved in the gothic culture can be a guide in sorts to one's desired spirtuality, unlike any other.

Anyway, I like to view goths like hippies who can kick ass.

Did you think I meant physical development? Sorry if im vague, been reading to much philosophical rhetoric