On Goths II

Inspired by my last post on goths, I would also like to talk about the stereotype that goths are arrogant and look down on anyone who doesn't have the right Lip Service clothes. I'm not sure how prominent this thought is in other places, but at least in the Finnish discussion it comes up often. To this day I have not met a single person who actually does it. Naturally it is possible that there are people who sneer at others because of their clothing, but I haven't seen it happen in the goth scene and no one has been able to tell me of a specific event where it would have happened.

I claim it is a MYTH. Goths dress up, that's what we generally like to do when we go out to events. Dressed up people look unapproachable and maybe even a bit scary. They look like something you cannot reach if they are strangers. Add to that the fact that the people who have been honing their dressing-up skills for years usually have gotten to know other people, and you have clusters of dressed up people happily chatting. It's not an easy thing to approach a group or try to blend in in that environment. But it is not because the people wearing Lip Service sneer at the newcomer's clothing or hair, they just might be also shy or just concentrating on having fun with their friends or organizing the event. I also know the feeling of envy when someone has the corset that you have been drooling over for months, or they look better in the same top! It's horrible! But at the same time totally harmless, any civilized human being can still function normally.

I've come to Tampere as an outsider, from another city, young and just interested in goth music and visual style. I think I would have noticed during these ten years if there would be some strange apartheid politics regarding newcomers and their clothes. I'm pretty shy, and I've still eventually ended up in a position where I DJ, help organize events and have many friends among the goth scene. And I claim it's not because of my clothes ;P

To make the point clear here's a picture of me from 2004 looking totally fabulous
in my horrible unruly brows an crimped hair ;P And that top is self made!

I dress up because I love it and it's a way of expressing myself. I love to come up with new combinations of the clothes I have or buy a new piece that goes well with the ones in my closet. I'm a visual person and feel like this is a continuation of painting, decorating my home or choosing just the right eyeshadow colour. I do not dress up to sneer at other people or show off how much money I've spent on clothing!

I organize events and sincerely want people to come there and enjoy the music and the atmosphere. Every new face is most welcome! I still look back with regret to the time when I was DJ'ing and noticed a lost looking goth girl in the venue, but she had left by the time my shift was over. I would have liked to say hi and make her feel welcome, because she was clearly there alone and uncomfortable. I'm friendly and like to talk to new people, even thought I'm shy, and I'd like to make it easier for people to just join in the fun and talk and dance and have fun with others at goth events. I feel that the Tampere scene is like a circle of acquaintances: everyone knows at least the others' faces, so coming to an event here is like a pub night with friends. That's what I personally like. Good music and good friends. Not some secret society looking down on less-familiar peoples' apperance!

Just last weekend in Helsinki I met the most wonderful two goths that I had not met before. We liked the same music, went to the same events so it was easy and nice to chat. And I did not even look at what they were wearing, but it must have been black ;)