Alright folks, I have something to say. I was recently on this random chat game thing. And people kept asking me, "what are you?", "are you goth?", things like that. And it just annoyed me so much. I will admit that I do look 'goth' and 'emo' alot, but that's not all I am. Then there's the whole anti-emo thing. It's completely ridiculous. Especially when self-proclaimed 'goths' do it. Emo is just a sub-culture steming from the goth style, which was a sub-culture of the punk style that sirfaced in the 70s... I think that's the right decade (wasn't alive back then so I don't know for sure.)

Anyway, I really don't think any of it matters. All these weird subcultures full of people that have to look or act a certain way just to fit in with misfits. It's insane. I don't get any of it at all. What's the point in limiting yourself to one social circle? By doing, that you rob yourself of your individuality and ultimately lose your identity to some bizarre fashion trend turned "lifestyle." I may be stupid for thinking this, but isn't it better to just be yourself instead of tying yourself down to some strange label that will be used against you again and again? I honestly can't understand why someone would choose to be a member of a cult-like subculture that dictates how you should dress and what you should enjoy. The world isn't all black-and-white. People aren't meant to fit neatly into these categories. We all have our own personalities and aspects that make us unique. No matter how hard you try you can never really fit into a label completely. Speaking of labels, there are people who preach about not labeling people, but ultimately end up putting a label on themselves. I don't know if I even have a point or if I just wanted to waste your time with typing something so pointless. But I can proudly say that I am a gothic, punkish, preppy, hyper, emo, redneck, skater, which simply boils down to three words… I AM ME!




Discuss:

labels
sub-cultures
clique-ish social circles
anything else that might be relevant that I can't think of right now

I totally agree with you! People call me Goth, Emo, etc. I'm sick of it! I hang out with a mixed group of friends, so why am I the only one who's labeled?

Well as to why people do it...I'm guessing they do it to feel more comfortable. If you're limited to a certain way of doing everything, it's probably easier to predict what your friends will like and what they'll hate. I agree that it's pretty silly to think that everyone is going to fit into perfect little boxes. Maybe it's for people who aren't as confident about who they want to be or those who want to attract certain specific people. It is true that we're drawn to people that are similar to ourselves.

Personally, if I had to put one word on my style, I'd call it random. That leaves it pretty open and applies to most(but again, not all) of how I live.

Once I had someone asking me if I was butch or femme. It was like ???? Um what?

While I do think that trying to define yourself with a clique or "subculture" is weak and idiotic,
people are susceptible to influence, and categorize everything,
so their likes and dislikes will always fall into some kind of category.

For instance, I could be considered goth.
That doesn't mean that I'm attempting to be that way. The music and the color black simply appeal to my tastes.
While every one of my tastes, and my personality, doesn't embody that label, I do share some things in common with it.
There's no shame in admitting that.

I don't believe in labels or subcultures. I try to hang out with everyone, I've heard that a lot of people classify me as a "prep" since I wear bright colours and it's almost like "wtf is wrong with you?" I wear bright colours because I think they're nice looking. If anything I'd classify myself as a nerd.

I am a needle worker with purple hair, and I am not the only one, I have met others. Why do people think I am? If you re not in a tatting circle you may never have even heard of Sue, or me Amy. Dani has green hair, and there was another girl that was just about to dye hers teal. Come on people, the only reason this is a big deal, is because you make it one.

Ok, I am just sick of how people these days judge other people by labels and looks. Sure, I might not be that most attractive girl out there but it is what is on the inside that counts. I, myself, use to judge people by there apperances, but not anymore. I was in 8th grade when I stopped because there was a guy that really liked me, and at the time I didn't like him. He asked me out. I said yes because he said he would take me to this park with lots and lots of rides. (I forgot the name). But once I talked to him more and more, the more I was kinda used to him. He wasn't in tip top shape. he was round. But I started to like him. Then I came to the conclusion that it doesn't matter of what the person looks like. It is there personality. But I will admit that if they are DOWN RIGHT hidious, I wouldn't ask them out. I'm talking about stinking, greasy hair, dirty skin, GREEN teeth. I wouldn't go out with that person, because there is a boarder line of how much I can take. But they do it on purpose. i JUST CAN'T STAND DIRTY PEOPLE. i know that is shallow but I am kind of germaphobic. But other than that I would not care about what is on the outside. As so long as I love/like the person.

That bugs me so much!! I have glasses and braces (yes I know it sounds nerdy so call me what you would like). This kid always calls me four eyed freak and it makes me mad. But people always assume that I'm just the dorky girl with glasses who lets the preps copy off my homework to fit in. Yes I do have glasses and I may look a little dorky in them. I also get good grades but I would much rather be an outcast then someone who wants to fit in by doing the wrong thing. Besides I would much rather go with my own flow then follow someone else's path. Wow that was deep! LOL!!

I merged your thread, Sparkle, with an older thread that has the same discussion tags. Please search the forum before posting to make sure your topic isn't already posted.

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Oh yeah. Labels were everywhere in highschool. No kidding. I mean some people just didn't have a label but others would. You have the Preps/goths/punk/emo/skater/ et.....

They were annoying I mean seriously they also sepertate people.
But my school wasn't bad about it. It was like oh thats a prep but that was all. Like in other states schools you have that if your a nerd you'll get beat up or if you're diffrent in some way. Which is just terrible.

thats all i have to say about that. I hate labels and i don't believe in them. People say I'm a goth but thats not all.

I think when taken to an extremity labels are stupid, but I also think to dismiss them
and resist them so completely is just as idiotic.

I can't really describe why I feel this way, I just do. It just doesn't seem like a big deal to me if nobody is getting ostracized for it. We've ALWAYS tied labels to people as a way to describe others, and those of you saying how much you hate getting called "whatever" would be full of shit if you never used a label as a way of describing someone.

"Oh, I just ran into Nick in the hall."
"Who?"
"You know, that wigger-looking kid."
"OH, I know who you mean!"

We've all done it. The problem is judging people for it.

well the fact that you have the lable all wrong could be a part of why you don't get it. Emo isn't part of the goth scene as goth isn't part of the punk scene.

Emo stands for emotionally unstable. Or emotionally unbalanced. Which is why they get such a hard time of it. In short, they're annoyingly depressed and it gets on everyones nerves.

Goths and punks are as different as punks and rockers.

The gothic subculture is about embracing the romance and mythology of life. Which is why we like frills and vampires and lace and haunting melodic music.

Punks are a lot harder and outlandish.

It doesn't really confine you to anything either. I am a goth. I love the gothic style, music and clothes. I am fascinated by the romance and myths out there and even if the subculture didn't exist that's who I am and what I like. It always has been. And I can wear pink micro skirts just the same as any brittany spears wannabe pop diva, but even though I do own "normal" clothes and wear them more than those that I like to wear, it doesn't mean I'm not goth. Nor does being goth mean I can't wear that type of stuff.

Labels have always been there they're just getting more and more complex. Heck even the gothic subculture has it's own subcultures within. It's not wrong, people like labels, they make them feel safe. And a label doesn't harm anyone. Hell even those of you who label yourself "Unique" are still asserting a label upon yourself. So why does it make a difference what that label is, it's just a quick summery.Not a biography that defines you.

"Labels are for clothes, not people."

I generally try my best to avoid labeling people unless I do so in a joking manner. The whole idea of sub cultures is just a waste of time imo.

But the world does have these cultures. It's pointless to deny that. They do exist which is why they've been named. People don't just make them up.

It drives me nutts when people called me a goody goody my first year of high school, and then a prep when I joined the cheer team the last two years of high school. They all say I'm stupid because i was a Cheerleader and thats not true. I'm going to a law school when I'm done with the community college. Also I'm an anime, rock/screamo music, Church, being with new people loving person. I'm friends with nearly ever 'group'

I get labeled as Gothic because I love EGL clothing, and while I admit I do sort of fit into the original Gothic style (the romantic, Victorian-age version, not the new chains and all-black deal) it's still annoying to be called because of all the associations that come with it. I've been stuffed into a lot of other stereotypes as well (dyke, raver, stoner--I thought this last one was funny, since I didn't even smoke) and it's all just a lot of crap.

I have my own label; I am Kitty :3

I just don't think it's fair to group people and label them. Everyone has a right to be themselves. People who try to fit in under a label should look at themselves again. I've been called emo and goth but I'm a pretty content Christian. It's silly, but it happens, and not like it's going to stop :\ Just live to be yourself. That's what I've learned~

I personally hate the mislabling more than the labels themselves. Fine, call me goth, it's not an insult at all! But still, you should know what you're talking about. Many ignorant people think goth is all about Marilyn Manson and Nightwish, but honestly it's a complete different genre! It's bands like UK Decay, Cinema Strange, Skeletal Family, and Bauhaus! People really need to read up on what goth rock is these days.

Same with punk. Can someone explain to me why emo and punk are being paired nowadays? I can understand if you're talking about Emotive Hardcore, which was a separate sub-genre of DC punk rock, but really? Nobody listens to Rites of Spring or Texas is the Reason. They all think emotive hardcore or "emo" is MCR and AFI and, god forbid, GC. Punk is not even close to these mainstream bands at all! Punk is 4skins, The Circle Jerks, Youth Brigade...

Before people toss around labels, they should take into account the people that identify with them and are part of the movement, or else they're just being insulting.

Originally Posted by Hime

I don't believe in labels or subcultures. I try to hang out with everyone, I've heard that a lot of people classify me as a "prep" since I wear bright colours and it's almost like "wtf is wrong with you?" I wear bright colours because I think they're nice looking. If anything I'd classify myself as a nerd.

I totally agree, labels are for soup cans. I've had some annoying preteen call me a geek because I wear glasses. I wouldn't put myself into any category, I'm too varied for that!

Labels have gone so far this day and age.
I feel as though people who look one way or another
try to be friends with people who look like them or
think like them. There is no diversity in friends. You see
one "emo" kid, and the rest of his friends look the
same. This especially goes for those of the "scene."
I myself like to be friends with everyone, but people
call me "scene" and "emo" so of course I attract that
denomination.

I hear you.

I get called everything from the usual "punk," "goth," and "emo" (LOLNO) to some labels so rude I don't dare say them. e_e It honestly pisses me off. But what pisses me off more is that I always get called a "poser," too, because I don't limit myself to just one style of dress.

Well, excuse me if I happen to like my concert shirts, my pink shredded T-shirt, AND my black elegant lace halter top. >.>; Excuse me if I'd just as readily wear something from a thrift store as something from a designer boutique in Japan (and vice-versa). Does it ever occur to anyone that this ISN'T to fit into a certain label...but because, I don't know, I LIKE IT?

Labels just suck. I am not "gothic;" I'm not all about the darker and romantic side of life, even if it does intrigue me from time to time. I am not "punk;" I really don't give a shit about being "different." Just because I AM a bit of a "weirdo" doesn't mean I'm doing it for anyone else. And I am ANYTHING but "emo;" I went through a nasty depressive phase, but that's TOTALLY over now, and even then I wasn't emo...just stupid. I call it my "emo phase," but really...if you want to go into the full-blown labeling thing, it wasn't even that. Closest thing you could call me to what I REALLY am is a JRocker...and even that's pretty inaccurate because I'm not actually Japanese. XD

I don't mind labels so much when it's just to describe how someone looks or something like that...but to take it so far as to insist that everyone MUST fit into ONE particular label or they're total posers? No. If you're gonna be like that to me, then just...piss off.

Another point I think that contributes to this is the fact that youth/young adults these days have acquired short attention spans. Who could blame us with all of the television and constant flashing things we're exposed to? Now this translates into how we interact with people on average because we want to be able to look at someone and know who they are. Of course this isn't right, or going to work, but it's how everyone thinks they've pinned you down in their black and white world. If you look one way you've got to act the way that usually comes with it. Now, Fullmetal, that is the problem. You like to dress how you are, and people can't pin you down under their thumb, so it annoys them.

I wouldn't really mind people labeling me if I could see the reasoning behind it.

I don't get when people call me a goth, I dress in too much color, I think. I don't get when they call me emo, I'm not sad. I don't get when they call me scene, because I don't dress like that. I don't get when they call me punk, cuz I like punk rock but I'm way too quiet for that.

I need to make up a new label for myself.

I was thinking of the way people label other people and I want to know why.
Do you label people and yourself, and why?
If not, why not?