[bloodrayne]

I wear black because it happens to be my favorite color (actually, my daughter informs me that "black" is NOT a "color", but rather an absence of light in a spectrum, whatever:rolleyes: )

I like silver spikes and chains...as a "normal" person prefers gold rings and diamonds (a bit too showy for me, I'm really not into materialism, therefore I am not impressed with expensive jewelry and/or clothing)

I don't color or spike my hair...but, my daughter and her boyfriend do...Does that make us different types of people?...Hmmm...I don't think so

I paint my nails black and wear black lipstick when I feel like it, I'm not sure that has anything to do with the "type" of person I am...Maybe it simply signifies again that I like the 'color' black
I don't "whine", unless I don't get my way (but, I usually do get my way)...lol...I don't necessarily hate life, okay some days I do, but not all the time, I think that's true for most people though...If I do decide that my life sucks, I'll change it...Life is what WE make it...It isn't something that just happens to us

As for the job/appearance debate...Everyone I have ever known has had "work" clothes and a regular wardrobe...When I was younger my "work" attire consisted of jeans, t-shirt, workboots, hardhat, toolbelt and lanyard...I did not paint my nails or put on lipstick before I went to work...I also left my "regular" clothes at home...And I never wore my hardhat and workboots when I went out...lol...Now, on the flipside of this debate...The people that I know who wear suits and ties to work, do NOT wear them at home or when they go out...As a matter of fact, many of them wear whatever they like, also...Most of them wear black

You would be surprised how many of your "upstanding businessmen" are "freaks" and "goths" outside of the office *cough*Je Suis Phnomne*cough*

Am I considered "goth"?...Not by a longshot...I cannot be defined or labeled...I'm just me...I don't fit into any categories...and I don't try to...

As for attention seeking...If I needed or wanted attention, I might actually leave the house from time to time

As for "painting your face white"...I have no clue what that means:confused:...So, I can't comment

Basically...The way I choose to dress, act, look, and live are all a matter of personal preference...A choice that I make to please myself and no one else

BTW...Isn't being concerned with the way someone else looks or dresses, a form of vanity...being concerned more with what's on the outside of a person, rather than what's on the inside?

I honestly don't care how anyone dresses...Well okay, I can't stand to see girls, especially young girls, running around half naked in public...That's offensive, and it shows a lack of respect for themselves, that IS a reflection on what's on the inside...But, I keep it to myself and remain thankful that it isn't my daughter...

Would you consider my daughter and her boyfriend to be goth?...They don't fit most of your descriptions...They love life...They are very happy, well adjusted people...And they only "whine" when they don't get to see each other...which is often soon remedied...Her boyfriend, by the way, has been working consistently since he was 14...He's now 17 and has been unloading trucks for a living, at the same company for almost 2 years now...He lives on his own and pays his bills...He also buys his own eyeliner...lol...His eyebrow ring, earrings, and labrea (not sure how to spell that one) are removed for work and his long hair is pulled back...Perhaps people make assumptions about them based only on their appearance...But, they don't really give a damn either...

We know ourselves better than anyone else...The way we "see" ourselves is FAR more important than the way we are perceived by others...If people don't like us, they can stay away from us...If we don't like something about ourselves, we will change it...So, tell me...What do you think...Goth or not?.....