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The society we live in today tends to dictate the norms and values of life in general. Blending in and integration are sometimes seen as an important step in building relations with the rest of the community. But you, as a sub-culture, how far do you think the vampire community goes to blend in or don't you bother to? If that being the answer how much damage do you think it does to your community - or don't you care?

I think diversity is key and when you mention vampire many people don't really take it serious.

I think the point is to separate fully, and form in own beliefs, but it needs to be done with some certain balance, since many other point of views are present here today, and the criticism is hard.

it is simply to be yourself.
do not care what others say or think of you. because over all who's opinion of yourself really matters the most.

idiots who are bored or your own mind?

I think this is a very good topic. My answer is pretty simple. The vampires that I know that live happy successful lives do blend in to a degree. They do wisely integrate into society. It has to be done. There is no way for a culture even a dark subculture to exist without some integration into main stream society. I believe that it is the few very smart leaders in a subculture that do take part in main stream society that are able to keep subcultures alive. Without the smart, few, subcultures would die. The people that refuse to conform at all either surrender completely to popular culture at some point or just disappear. I also think that the smart leaders in a subculture care very much about their culture and that is exactly why they make the sacrifices that they do. Take Vampire Rave for instance. Because someone was smart enough to integrate the vampire lifestyle into the virtual world this whole community exists.

alixaryon~

thats a formable idea. I've seen other type organisations and religions do that, where they build there own schools etc. But surely it would be better to do that and integrate at the same time.

Gaius~

you make an excellent point (I think we posted at the same time).
I also think integration is necessary for a subculture to survive.
I would like to know how many actually don a suit and slip into the mainstream.

the almighty dollar is what would get my but in a suit

That’s right bigz4500. It is the money. Without it a subculture probably could not exist and definitely could not grow. Even if a person was so stubborn that they refused to conform at all life would be so miserable that in my opinion it would not be worth while. I think that is why people who say they will not conform ultimately do end up surrendering completely.

I think a lot of it would depend on the size of your community, some regions are still living in the dark ages and are not receptive at all to diversity.

The first step to blending in would be to stop using the term "vampire."

I understand the draw for a commercial site like VR, but the confusion that results in every thread over the fiction and the community is frustrating, and occasionally amusing.

Maybe the confusion is a smoke screen.

pandorasbx65

thats very true, but surely the elders of these communities to arrange meets and thing a couple of times a year etc.
For a community to grow it does need for its members to put themselves out initially

I believe the vampire community is no different than any of the numerous religious communities. We all have different belief's and lifestyles and choose to live that lifestyle.

Nonetheless, most people of faith (and I use the term loosely) lacks the openness of accepting anything that does not match their view. They are taught to fear anything that does not agree with their own belief's, even other religions. They constantly put each other down, so I would expect no less towards the vampire communtiy. They have no free will and are controled by fear at every corner, such a sad existance.

Doru~

I live in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and everyone tries to intergrate and in the main we have achieved levels of harmony that have taken much education and time to achieve.
Only those factions hell bent on disruption are on the outside, and still they are given every opportunity to blend and share.

This, above all, to thine own self be true...

I don’t give a crap. I'm me, I have enough stigmas, and they accept me or not. I could care less anymore. Big smilez :))

I feel I prefer to blend since it is easier to hunt when you're all the same--just move frequently

I think most do try to blend into society no matter if they are vampire, Witch, or whoever they are.

~BloodLife~

In my community we try to be an example, not a problem and we blend in very well. However, society as a whole will say one thing to one person and say something completely opposite to the next. That is why I do not trust people in general because of that character flaw

I don't think people try they just fight for the right to be seen as people.

we as a community are a group of 'freaks'. we are just trying to find someone out there we can relate to. some try to conform to the rules of our own cuture but we generally dont go along with mainstream society

I think everyone blends in, to some form, "goths" blend in with other "goths" but not the "norms" yet there are weekend goths the have to blend in during the week. Everyone blends in to something...to the damage part I dont think there is any damage until some stupid person decides to go on a killing ramapage and which ever group the look the most like gets blamed...media sucks

do you mean like conforming through non-conformity or somethin?

For myself, I don't care what opinion people form about me.. As a community.. people will always act appaled(sp) at something that is different. But the diversity is key to culture. It is what forms variences.

I haven't tried to blend in since I was in 8th grade. Always a smart ass. But I have never been anything but part of where i live. I stand by my coworkes and my Community. And they stand by me. Like said earlier in the thread. In this day and age. freedom to be what we are has allowed others to become more understanding about what we are as well.

Well, in the Vampire Chronicles and other such books, they work pretty hard to blend in to normal society, or otherwise avoid it completely.

Vampire Chronicles - as in Ms Rice's books?

Back to reality ...... if intergration is not what the community want, what is being done to safe guard its existence......what are 'you' doing?

Wow,

It's the hypocrisy of it all Bloodlife, when these very small minded people decide that they don't want to fit it....We can all live as one, together.

I, as mentioned above by Dora, also feel that the vampire, lycan,....what ever label they choose to give themselves is no different from any religious community

They build these communities where they allegedly keep themselves to themselves. The minority say they don't want to fit into what is know as the 'norm' because they feel they are special, (We are all *special*) and they exclude where ever they can.

Then they will try there best to bully and intimidate, to change the style of others to fit into what they understand of life. As some may choose to do here on the rave.

As ShadowKnight mentions, I also don't blend in or stick out. I'm not noticed in a large group or even a small group! I am just me.

hum a question to ponder about .. well i dont try to fit any were , i stick out like a sore thumb.

I do like to read alot of different views on religion as such and being here at. vampirerave is very comfortable to post your views..

Blending in doesn't matter, because many times people will shun what they don't understand either way. People don't tend to rationalize, or even stop to think about what they are against and why.

If more people would actually care about vampires, witches, and many of the other "outcasted" subcultures, then it would possibly be worth it to explain. As for blending in... it doesn't matter. Who would honestly want to be like one of those people who shuns others just because of who they are and what they do?

I would never want to blend into a community like that. Let me be different, and let them talk. They don't know what they are talking about anyhow! :P

In my small community in which I live, and I am by no means a vampire, anyone who stood out even a little bit would be ridiculed and probably hauled off to the nut farm so to speak. The vampire community in a place such as this would be best keeping to themselves.

XXDawnXX

that was very well put, I think we are all individual.
It's true people tend to generalise, but surely actions speak louder than words and if you're seen to be doing good that should be fine. What goes on in private is your concern!

In my opinion, I think society has put a mentality into our minds to create a certain thought process, where as we wish to judge all, and accordingly. Thus the stereotype is invented.

As with the Community, some are outright dressed, and therefore act the part. Certainly here in New Orleans you get the occasional fully on "Vampire" style of dress.

Then again, this is what some of us grew up on. Just as with gang bangers, shouting things in ebonics, or rockers wearing leathers and listening to Maiden, or Zombie. Just the same.

Save for the newer types of music played in the oldest ways. Such as Rave, or Techno. One dresses the part.

I for one, do not bow down to such critiques as society would like it to be. But isn't non-comformity comforming anywho?

My point is, no matter what you wish to do, to counter act any social norm, whether it be the social norm to dress and create the vampiric image for that certain community, or just be yourself...You fall into the structure regardless and never by purpose. It is not how you dress, but your ediquette, how you carry yourself.

Carry yourself well, and in said Community, respect will be gained in time. Certainly not to be taken lightly by any means. Especially in well known cities, such as Chi-town, New York, or New Orleans.

i outwardly blend to keep the stares away, its actually easier to avoid uncomfortable situations if you fake it for the public....
i hate too much undo attention focused on myself...
its rude to me, plus i can avoid it.

Soulshroude~

thats very interesting, I think we are conditioned from kids in fact.

I think peer presure also plays a big part in the programing, but conforming is something else.
Playground and homelife often conflict and as we grow we carry that war into adult life. When we decide upon a path the conflict of whether to blend is still there. It's very much a social problem -- or can be.

i seem to look very different during the day and night. during the day i'm mostly just your average girl trying to make a living.
but during the night i get into crazy raver mode and i look like i'm on a mission! it's rather badass.

Everyone creates there own universe but yes i do think we all bend to an extent for there beliefs,but also in seeing these different view new trends emerge in it all be it witch vampire goth ,satanic or what have you ..but also we can go through this world knowning who we really are and not choosing to exspress it to the world but keep our beliefs to ourselves..

Can't we all just get along?

I never 'blend in' - I destroy that which chooses to defy me in any form.

As I am not a 'vampire' in the classic sense of the word I cannot comment on its community, but I can say that I DO steal energy from others and utilize it for my own purposes.

If by putting on a different persona for 'outsiders' are you not then lieing to yourself and bottling up a frustration that needs attention and could possibly do long term damage.

Mostly everyone I've known including myself just try to blend in to be low key. The less attention drawn to us the better.

Nothing like living in paranoia for some in the world of the mundane, judgements may fall on all, but damn...Gotta make way for a darker future (Chuckles).

I think diversity is key and when you mention vampire many people don't really take it serious.it is simply to be yourself. do not care what others say or think of you. because over all who's opinion of yourself really matters the most.

i think they have there own way of life and know how to behave around people that dont understand them.

me i try to blend now and again when i have to other times i am stright to the point depends on the place i am at

i just thought of this and i havent seen or heard of vampires no were around were i live at and no sence ive been here my friends laugh at me because they think vampires are a joke or something and i tell them i like them and not to laugh because there also laughing at me..

what i do hear about around me the most is wicca and witch stuff..

to answer your question myself, I have always been an outcast & the blacksheep even in my own family so I really don't try to fit in or conform to anything. I just live my life my way and with my own style. If that conflicks with anyone or thier sence of normality or conformacy I really don't care. I don't try to be rude to anyone or tell anyone they have to like it or be like me & in return all I ask is that people don't try to make me conform or push thier own views or beliefs on me.


MASTERofMIDNIGHT

the gothic culture has made a good way to blend in... so i dont worry much.

It is basic instinct to blend so you are not swallowed up or hunted to extinction. However, society is becoming more tolerant of more diverse groups and the groups in turn are expanding their agenda's.

Until I joined VR I never really felt like I was part of any community. I don't go out of the way to blend in with "normal" society whatever that is. By the same token I don't go out of my way to draw attention to what I am either. A lot of the time I dress VERY western, others more like a biker and others like a redneck. I wear what I like to wear and people may see it this way or that way but i just wear what is comfortable to me. When I had long hair some people called me a hippie. Did I ever consider myself a hippie? No. People see what they want to see when they look at the way someone dresses and acts to categorize them as this or that. With me they have a hard time because I tend to blend so many different things. I'm not trying to be a conformist or non-conformist I'm just being me. Unless someone wears fangs all the time, dresses like Dracula or brings it up the average person will not think vampire when they meet some one in the community. The only time I do conform at all is if my parents make a special request for some kind of family event out of respect for them, well that and I don't want to have to listen to them complain for hours. lol

for me its not so much a matter of blending but more just finding a place where i can be me and still be part of my community. It wasn't easy but it has happened.

I was fortunate to have two eclectic & eccentric parents. I was raised to be who you are...be true to yourself. I have friends from all walks of life. A person may look different yet everyone still has feelings, wants , needs. If more people would accept this way of thinking the world would be a much better place

I would not want to live in any community that did not accept me because I do not meet up to their expectations.

If someone does not accept your way of life, F*CK EM! It is not up to any individual to decide your way, it is up to you to choose for yourself whether or not to comform to any situation.

Clothes do not make the person, nor the attitude. Neither the means, nor method. The person makes the person. If society does not accept you for you, then let them know that they can kiss your arse.

If you were to pass me on the street you would never notice me. *Shrugs* That is how I am. I have never craved attention and never stood out. Doesn't change who I am though.

As for blending in. Why would I want to do that? That would totally restrict my right to individuality and freedom of expression. This isn't a perfect world with a dress code or a strict law of how you have to act and the way you live. Sure I get starred a lot everyday going out in public, but I'm quite us to it. If they don't like the way I look, act or dress, too bad!

For work its uniforms so we are all the same. My dark side is more of the inside few to share it with.

Due to the delicacy pf this issue here, mainly due to religion we have been slowly trying to reach out to the community. The plans have been to get our members to go out and participate in community fund raisers, donating blood at the Red Cross, assisting at the homeless shelters. We are trying to let the community know that just because we look different and act a little different we are still capable of great things. I think it varies from city to city, the opinion of our culture on others. It also varies on the members in the cultures and what they are teaching to the members. It can be made or broke by the simple positive or negative actions of one member. I think we all need to keep this in mind when interacting with others. If we are to be accepted perhaps one day, we need to show that we are not evil blood drinking, steal your child in the night creatures. I have see a big problem with RPG, due to the fact sometimes they get carried away and young people are easily drawn into fantasy. It’s everyone’s responsibility to assure our members are acting appropriately and in some cases take action if someone is not. I think for the most part right now we are having a negative affect on our surroundings, but I hope to see that change in time as more members become aware of the situations around us and the impacts we are having on our communities.

I don't think it tries to blend in at all. And I honestly don't care about blending in or not.

I'm reading a lot of you saying you don't want to blend and you want to be 'yourself' -- cant you still keep your individuality within the community?

Very interesting... I can blend quite well. Then again individuality and the military don't really co exist. So blend I do.

As most people I have two facets of life - professional and social.

In my professional career I am an administrative assistant/legal secretary and no, I do not discuss my personal self with others. I "blend".

At home and socially, I am very upfront - you either like me or don't. If you don't - stay the hell away from me then. Since I have that mindset I only surround my self with people that accept me for who I am, thus, I have better andf truer friends then most.

Thank you that is pretty much my take on it. I blend at work at home and among my friends I am just me.

I don't think the Vampiric community does any harm to the "normal" community, I feel do us more harm.

Why not just live and let live?

i chose to be who i am, if other want to question let them, i don't hide anything for any reason, life is to short

"normal" society doesn't generally like individuals that stand out unless they are a celebrity, then they expect it. It has gotten better to some degree but not to the point that vampirism would be accepted or even tolerated.

Simply there is balance like most would agree. You need each culture to enrich the next. Vampire culture, people who are apart of it need to pop culture to continue being successful. Just as pop culture needs the subcultures to make life more colorful. I believe that not only does one culture integrate, but all do to some degree. Even the main stream has its moments of integrating into a subculture. For instances the pop culture went into punk for a while, then into a thugish. It's simply a trade on which subculture will main stream for a while.

I do however believe it really smart to blend, but never to lose yourself in a said culture. Learn from it, but not to become it.

I think intergation and tolerance is higher in a city area rather than you smaller local country town like community.

You should be able to be who you want to be without having to put up with arrogance. Basically society suffers from a lack of basic understanding and most the time no one goes out of their way to find out about the other side, just sit back listen to hearsay and judge.

I also think if you are tolerant towards others then over time that tolerance will be returned to you.... I know I know I am living in a dream world. But you can hope right?

im like the camelean ( spelled that wrong lol) i blend but dont want to be seen

I believe part of the vampire community now is to stand out. It's the time to fight persecution in all it's forms and nowadays people are easily persecuted if they don't follow everyone else in their beliefs and lifestyle.