An Emo is often mistaken for a Goth. Certainly they can appear similar: both wear make-up (tends to be black and white), both tend to go for piercings and dark clothing, and many members of both go for an “androgynous” look.
The differences end in appearance.
“Emo” is short for “emotional” or “emotive”, and they wallow in Angst in its various dark, adolescent forms: depression, bulimia, anorexia, self-destruction.
In short, it is a celebration of some fairly serious mental illnesses.
So an Emo will typically talk about life’s futility and heartbreaking sorrow and pathos. They congregate with others who will do the same: often in groups of 20 or more. It’s actually sick. Alternatively, it’s a superb attention-grabbing strategy.
Emos are generally harmless. So are Goths, but perhaps less so. Just crazy mixed-up kids, I guess.
GOTH = Alice Cooper, Jim Morrison, The Moody Blues, Peter Steele, Ivan Albright
EMO = Sylvia Plath
They sound like fun people to hang around!
Thanks for taking the time in explaining the term to me, its the first I've ever heard of it.
What about Paleo-Goths?
Where do we fit in?