I have found that I live in a very weird area. Here in the Triangle of NC, even all the colleges, I have seen virtually no Goths on the street. I have gotten some lingering stares occasionally when I am out, but no one seems to recognize a Goth. In almost every other city I have visited, if I walk around with a Joy Division, Bauhaus, Sisters, Siouxsie, etc. t-shirt, someone will eventually say "Cool shirt!" or nod in acknowledgment. In over two years, I haven't a glimmer of recognition from anyone about a band t-shirt, or button, or clothing. If I were to walk down the street looking like the undertaker in the Scary Bitches song, people would just think I was going to a costume party. Even in downtown Chapel Hill, which is very counter-culture, I've seen no one who looks Gothic or who seems to recognize a Goth. One girl in a checkout line complimented me because my jewelry matched my clothes, which I thought was very observant. But she didn't seem to associate it with anything Gothic, even when I mentioned Gothic Alchemy, etc.
Last month I was featured in a local newspaper because of a Steampunk craft, I held for teens, and the reporter quoted me when I said I am an "old goth". I thought this might have some sort of backlash. But not a single staff member in our very large library system, even the young librarians, commented. No patron ever commented, which is good in a way, I suppose. But odd. Every great once in a while a young teen will come into the library who looks somewhat goth, but they don't recognize jewelry; bands, or anything I mention in connection with the goth subculture.
When I go further west in the Piedmont, I do get some stares with the derby or fedora, trench coat, boots, etc. But again, no glimmer of recognition, and it has been years since I've seen anyone who was obviously a Goth. Back about 2001 or 2002, I used to see quite a few at the malls when I came home on vacation, but not any more. It's downright bizarre.

... and also they need to stop trying to impress their dumb friends by making nasty/inane comments to perfect strangers! One day they will yell at the wrong person and they could get really hurt by doing so... some people are not as anti-violence as me!

Keep that thought in mind. Every time some moose-brained imbecile bellows out at you or some stranger like that, they are happily lumbering one step closer towards Darwinian culling from the herd.

I find that a very comforting thought.

-- Nephele

Keep that thought in mind. Every time some moose-brained imbecile bellows out at you or some stranger like that, they are happily lumbering one step closer towards Darwinian culling from the herd.

I find that a very comforting thought.

-- Nephele

Given I don't really dress how I guess people expect a goth (but yes, I still think of myself as one) to dress anymore, I don't really get asked goth specific questions, I do, however get asked quite frequently :
Q : "Aren't you a little overdressed?"
My stock answer : "No, everyone else is seriously underdressed" (usually accompanied by a quick, but very obvious, glance at what the person is wearing and disdain...lots and lots of disdain)
I was also asked something similar :
Q : "Isn't that outfit a bit formal?"
A : "My pyjamas are in the wash" (that might not make sense outside of Ireland though)

I'm probably too tired right now to come up with anything good for any of the other questions, but I'll give it a shot :

Q : Why do you dress like that?
A : It helps prevent hypothermia, and nudity

Q : Aren't you hot?
A : Thats very sweet of you to say so

Q: Are you a Vampire?
A : Do I look like I'd sparkle in daylight?

Q : Are you a satanist?
A : Well...I do love satin...

Q :Aren't you a little old for all of that Gothic stuff?
A : Aren't you a little young to be questioning your elders?

(and sadly, the pajama answer made perfect sense.)

Oh, I had thought the pyjama thing was a localised phenomonomonomonomon,
kind of disappointing to hear it's a global epidemic

"Are you a satanist? Do you sacrifice goats and drink their blood?"

"I don't know: are you a Catholic who drinks human blood and eats human flesh at communion?"

...I live in FL by the way, the only other goths I've seen besides me and her are the big tripp wearing/trench coat mafia type metal heads. Most everyone (except a few old fogies I've met) are uterlly clueless as to what we're representing.