Suggestive of a dark, morbid outlook on life, but not without a sense of humor. Often associated with vampires, cemeteries, and other trappings of death and isolation. An outgrowth of the post-punk New Romantic movement that spawned such musical groups as Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees and the Cure. The controversy rages about what "is" goth and what it isn't, as various members of the subculture jockey for credibility. Basically, if you have to ask someone if you're a goth, you probably aren't, and no one person is the ultimate judge of who and what is or is not goth. Except maybe Robert Smith.

A word that has so many definitions no-one really knows what the fuck it means now.

Initially a musical genre that emerged in the late 70s post punk era, Goth evolved into a full-blown sub culture a few years later with the evolution of Gothic fashion and imagery. A movement with a seemingly infinite ability to re-invent itself Goth has survived over 2 decades and has continued to evolve and grow in this time. However this propensity to re-invent itself has lead to a form of “identity crisis of Goth” in which even its most fervent adherents can no longer agree on a definitive answer to the question “What is Goth”.

In recent years the music industry has applied the term “Goth” rather broadly to various musical styles, which they seem unable to categorise, resulting in some confusion between various genres and the fans thereof. Unlike many of the subcultures than went before Goth does not seek to rebel against society, highlight its flaws (as was the case with the punks of the 70s) or define itself in terms of opposition to other sub cultural groupings (as was the case with the mods and the rockers of the 60s). As press interest in the genre continues, other sections of society have begun to define normality as “that which is opposed to Goth,” a common mainstream reaction faced by all subcultures at one time or another.

Ah, the widely controversial "goth" label. I say label because for most, that's all it is. A simple category for putting people into little, clearly-marked boxes. It can mean as little as a stereoptype or as much as a way of life. What any person's view is on the Gothic culture depends mostly on their experience with it, their past experiences in general, their susceptibility to outside influences, and their attitude on the strange and the unknown.

The term "Gothic" has had many definitions over the course of history. I believe other definitions have about covered the origins, so I'll instead focus on the most contemporary incarnation.

Common "Gothic" Myths:
1) All goths are suicidal: If you yourself believe this, give yourself a good slap upside the head with a dictionary. The majority of Goths are fun-loving, happy people who view suicidal people as somewhat disgusting and do not include them in their definition of what is goth.
2) All goths wear black: Again, slap yourself upside the head with a dictionary if you firmly believe this. Any true goth will admit that they like wearing color on occasion. In particular, cybergoths enjoy very much the brightest colors known to the human mind.
3) All goths listen to marilyn manson: Sigh. Look, kids. Whether manson is goth or not I don't care to discuss, as there are valid arguments on both sides, but the fact is, a good chunk of true goths don't even LIKE manson. Some goths don't even like rock/metal/hardcore music. GASP!

Moreover, Gothic cultue is simply a very deep connection to the darker side of life, an acknowledgement that everything is not "peachy," and that things like sadness and grief are very real and must be dealt with in order to maintain a healthy mind and body.

A goth is a person who finds happiness in darkness. They are usually misenthropic due to the fact that they have storng opinions and dislikes. Goths may be cutters because thier emotions get the best of them. Music can be a minor or a major factor of thier life styles. Goths can become posers over time because as they mature they might lose parts of themselves. The normal clothing of a goth usually are dark along with daker shades of makeup. Goths are people who have chosen to be different for reasons known and unknown.

There are two definitions

1) a person who likes to dress and act differently to the other people in society, normally in black but some like much brighter colours. They tend to be thinkers and more often than not quite creative. They have a satyrical sense of humour, and are able to laugh at both themselves and other people. This type of goth originated in the late 80's with the "death" of punk; goths back then liked the style and the "protection" it offered and so emulated it in their own style. They listen to and appreciate all sorts of good music. They can be gay/depressed/weird/mentally disturbed, but more often than not they are just normal people.

2) an offshoot of the nu-metal clique who think that to *really* piss off their parents they'll dress all in black and talk about death and suicide whilst listening to Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and Slipknot because it's "cool". They tend to have very little idea of the other type of goths (or anything else other than themselves for that matter) and will probably change their fashion once it becomes "uncool" again. Thank god.

A lifestyle of walking the boundary between darkness and light. True goths love being alive and accept the challenges of being alive. They are often very deep thinkers, creative artists, and great friends. At some point in their life, a true goth has been in some way scarred. Whatever event or events have altered this person, it has only made them stronger. Posers will say their life sucks for the smallest, most insignificant reasons, solely for the sake of attention. A true goth has experienced pain of the heart and bears the scar, but they can further enjoy life because their pain is behind them.

I am proud to wear the scars of my past and have found healing through my arts and the ones I love. The ache is still there, but through expressing my true self I have been able to let go of the hurt. I am a goth and I love my life. I have torn down my walls. I'm not ready to die. I will not change until I have hurt someone. I will always be on the line of light and dark. And when my time comes to pass on, I will remain in the hearts of those who loved me.

Goth was originally a term used to describe people with a taste for certain bands eg: Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy, The Cure, etc. in the '80s when punk started to fade out, and with wardrobes predominantly black.
In the 90s and early 2000s the goth subculture seemed to change to include bands such as Nirvana, Linkin Park, Slipknot, Cradle of Filth, etc.

Many goths have a cynical outlook on society and have an evolved sense of humor which has gone beyond the "Ya ma" as an insult and will laugh at others, and at themselves in a healthy way. Goths don't usually care what other people think of them, and don't care if they don't fit in. Goths don't care, either what sexuality, religion, etc. other goths are, and we don't take the piss out of gays because we aren't homophobes.

If you shout insults after a bunch of goths, alot of the time, they might not be offended, but take pride that people are realising that they're individuals.

the goth ideal was all about, hey, if you're a bit different, a social outcast, sensitive and depressed, gay, straight, whatever, well we'll love you and accept you. but as with all other alternative youth movements and subcultures, goth has been hijacked by all the wrong people. it was absorbed back into the mainstream where it had its soul raped and thus an mtv stereotype emerged, complete with rules and regulations.

you can hear these non-judgemental open-minded people telling you what is goth and what is not goth, that slipknot is not goth, that marilyn manson is not goth (because manson is extreme and for the average poser goth this brings them too much negative attention so they try to distance themselves from him because in reality they're full of shit), that goth is spelled with a capital g and if you use a lowercase g you are not really goth, etc, etc, ad nauseum.

they will usually claim to be bisexual because, girls, you got off with your best mate once, and lads, well, most of you probably never got off with another lad but you just kind of have to claim to be bi since it shows how different you are. remember the rules.

the problem is you cannot really tell us apart. for a while we thought we had a way to separate ourselves from the human cattle who make up the majority, which we wanted nothing to do with. but those days are gone now.

good things are ephemeral; it's not long before the fruit attracts the flies.