Gothic Charm School电子书

Cover

Title Page

Dedication

Contents

An Introduction

Or why Goths must cultivate better manners than other people, and just who is this Lady of the Manners chick, anyway?

One

A very brief recitation of the history of the Goth subculture

Some signs and symptoms of having a gothy mindset

The difference between being a Goth, a NotAGoth, and not being a Goth yourself but being Goth-friendly

The age gap (also known as, “Am I too old for this?”)

Do you have to be spooky every day?

Why you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the Inter net, including those silly quizzes

Two

Common misconceptions about Goths

Can I comment on their clothing or makeup and ask if they make their own clothes?

A brief primer on how to behave and what to wear if you decide to explore the Goth scene with your spooky acquaintances

If a Goth is inexplicably mean to me in the Hot Topic where I get my hair dye, can I name-check you and threaten to file a report? (Oh, how the Lady of the Manners wishes that would work!)

Three

How to show support to your babygoth or babybat without relinquishing the keys to the hearse, and everything you need to know to Not Freak Out

What if my children hide behind me wide-eyed?

What if my children run toward them shrieking with glee?

How do I explain Goth to my children if they ask me about it?

Goth parents and raising the next generation of babybats

Four

How to reassure people you aren’t a Satanist, drug fiend, or psycho killer

Helpful tips for convincing your parents to let you express your self through your clothing (but don’t kid yourself: the Lady of the Manners wouldn’t let you wear a corset to school either)

Goths and school (and why these aren’t necessarily the best years of your life)

Dealing with roommates

Five

Why friends don’t let friends dress like the Crow

No, we don’t all think we’re vampires (but we do read a lot of vampire books)

No, you don’t have to be depressed to be a Goth

So you say you’re not a Goth, but people keep assuming you are

The roots of Goth’s dark garden

Why being called a cliché isn’t such a bad thing

Six

Etiquette for and about crushes

Flirting and dating

“But why are you with him/her?!”

Goths and Valentine’s Day

Breakups, heartbreak, and mobbing the newly single

Goth weddings (both weddings for Goths and Goths at tending “normal” weddings)

Seven

Why being polite to people you don’t like is important

Why being circumspect about gossip and catty commentary is even more important

The difference between snarkiness and cattiness

The difference between self-confidence and self-absorption

The difference between exclusivity and snobbishness

Subcultural crossovers and the blurring of boundaries

The Internet is not Real Life (with an aside about the Great Flounce-Off)

Why polite honesty doesn’t always have the hoped-for effect

Eight

The never-ending debate about fashion vs. music (part 1)

Appropriate attire suggestions for job interviews, the corporate world, family get-togethers, the summer heat, the chill of winter, and other events

Dress codes (both spoken and unspoken)

What to do when people ask you why you’re dressed like that

What to do when Goth becomes the darling of the fashion industry

The basics of assembling a gothy wardrobe

Why no one really has an “original” Goth Look, so get over yourselves already

Nine

The never-ending debate about music vs. fashion (part 2)

Why the ElderGoths are always so cranky about the main stream eyeliner-wearing band du jour

Why Marilyn Manson is not a Goth

Manners on the dance floor

Manners and socializing at the club (including “don’t touch people without invitation” and “always be nice to the staff”)

Why yelling “Freebird!” isn’t as amusing as you might think and other advice for concertgoers

A special section about dealing with or being a tourist at a Goth club or event

Ten

The possible future of Goth and the Lady of the Manners’s hopes for it (plus a couple of her fears, though she’s sure they won’t come to pass)

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Credits

Copyright

About the Publisher