How Do I Become Goth?

How do I become goth? Many websites will tell you that with a little white make up and black lipstick, you too can be a goth. It is easy to see how to actually believe that. You can re create assumptions bout goths. You can embody every stereotype that is out there, but those things would not make you goth. People don't generally become goth, they are usually born that way. It is an issue of the heart. Each person makes their own statement. There isn't ten simple steps to gothdom, or a preset list of criteria. Like my Glarkware t-shirt mocks, "Goth Union, Individuality through Conformity." In real life that is rarely the case.

On the website Blood-Dance.net, the web mistress Azhrarn has a list of general "goth" traits:

If most (10 or more) of the following statements are true, it is VERY likely that you are Goth. If the first statement is false, you aren't Goth. No, not even if all 16 of the rest are true. Of course, you would be readily accepted and most welcome amongst Goths for your strength of individuality and ability to appreciate the culture in general and themselves in particular.

o You feel the need to spend a lot of time creating things (music, art, poetry, philosophies, stories and the like)

o Your creative efforts are often described as dark, shocking, scary, morbid or strange

o You like museums and cultural centers

o You understand and even enjoy Shakespeare, Shelley, Browning or some other similar work without having to read the Cliffe Notes

o You know the difference between nihilism and existentialism, even if you don't really live by either

o You really, truly enjoy music of many kinds

o You are a very sensual person (aware of color, texture, sound, taste and scent)

o You don't understand why the people around you spend so much time watching TV

o You don't feel comfortable looking just like everyone else you know

o You do feel comfortable just being yourself, even if no one else around is anything like you

o You wonder "why" a lot, and come up with some interesting answers

o You wonder "how" a lot, and often figure it out on your own

o You don't just reject something because you don't understand it

o You base your opinions of people on who they are and what they do rather than what they look like

o You are not afraid of the unknown

o You are not afraid of the dark

o You are afraid of mediocrity (Azhrarn, 1998 ©)

If you said yes to ten or more of these, that does not mean you need to burn all your colored clothes, invest in grease paint, start smoking cloves, get tattooed, denounce your religion, and start to be depressed, all the time. Notice many of the most common goth stereotypes are clearly absent from the list.

There is no goth dress code. Contrary to popular belief there isn't universal "goth look." Sure many goths frequently dress in black, but so do lots of other people. It isn't a constant and it isn't a requirement. Many people associated with the goth subculture wear white, and even colors on a regular basis. Not all goths wear black jeans and t-shorts. Not all goths dress in Victorian garb. Not all goths dress like they always in club mode. Some goths…well do not look goth at all. They look just like the average person on the street. That by no means makes them less goth. Black make up and pale face are also not on the list. Just like with clothes, make up or lack there of is optional. Your hair can be any way you want it.

That means if you like wearing pink, wear pink. You should not feel pressured to run out and buy a big pair of clunky boots unless you really want to. There is no mandate that says you need to adopt Robert Smith's look. You do not have to recreate Brandon Lee's look in The Crow. You don't have to dye your dark black, bleach it, or dye it some other off the wall color.

There isn't a set "goth" music. There are bands that are associated with the goth scene, but that does not mean all goths are fans. Many people associate Marilyn Manson as a goth musician. However, that is not the case. Most goths do not like Manson's music. There are even some goths that believe that Manson fans (called Mansonites) are not even real goths. Just because a person is goth does not preclude them from like various types of music. If you take a look at my I-POD you will find Debbie Gibson songs mixed in with The Cure. You will discover my favorite band of all time is Guster, a wuss rock band who is far from goth. They are more of a Barenaked Ladies, Dave Mathews vibe. Still I love them, and I related to their music. That does not make me any less of a goth.

These are only two examples of how the stereotypes do not always ring true. Remember, goth is not a religion. By associating with the subculture you are not signing a contract to be negative and depressed all the time. The key is to keep being yourself! Only make changes you want to make. Do not feel pressured to do something just because you feel obligated. If you find a person (typically a younger person, but certainly not limited by age) who is more concerned with the look than the life style, than maybe they are not really as "goth" as they say they are. Goth isn't something you just become, it is something you have always been in your heart.

You can apply any stereotype you want. You can try to do all the right things, but ask your self why you are doing them. Is this really you? Are you just doing this to "fit in?" Remember to just be yourself, and be happy with it. That is even if other people don't understand.