Interest in European Lifestyles

[DarkNoise]

So I've been watching some documentaries today on metal, and what struck me most is the severe difference in cultural lifestyles between us in North America, and our buddies across the pond in the UK, and in the frozen, grim tundra of Scandinavia.

My question is this: how is the 'metal culture' viewed over in those regions? Is it stereotyped as much as here in the states (ie wearing a heavy metal tshirt gets you worried looks and makes you a criminal)? Or is it more relaxed over there?

Also, fuck you northerners for having such great music actually win awards. The last time a deserving band won any american award at a big ceremony was Metallica for Enter Sandman.... and that thing got WAY over played.

and yes, I have been drinking since lunch.

 

[WhiteBeastofWotan]

I'll tell you one thing I've noticed in my travels:
The quantity of hot metal chicks at shows is way higher over there.

 

[Swabs]

The typical metalhead attire is looked upon my most "standard" people in just the same way. But then again, what can you expect when wearing a shirt that says "suck my guts" on the back?

But I do find that if I go into any slightly large city, it's very easy to spot other metal fans about. So while we are still the minority, our presence isn't insignificant.

The fact that we have the best festivals helps too.

Oh and over here metal fans aren't stereotyped as criminals. People just think we're wierd.

 

[Shapeless)))]

^ what he said

 

[Dead Winter]

I can only speak from my experience in Italy, as I've only lived here, but metal shirts get you absolutely no attention, aside from other like-minded metalheads. No one looks at you like you're a criminal, satanist, antichrist, etc. People pretty much mind their own business here and there's virtually no fundamentalism like in the states such as people protesting concerts or harassing street preachers, etc. The only harassment we have are the Jehovah's Witnesses that knock on your door every now and then. People don't even think you're weird; they just say, "Oh, he's a metalhead" and continue about their way. It doesn't really matter what you're into here, as long as you're not a dick.

 

[DarkNoise]

That's it, I'm brushing up on my Norwegian and moving back to my roots.

I remember me and my buddies (great grammar I know) having cops warn us constantly for loitering outside a local music store, but every other person doing that never got hassled... not even the Wiggers, and if anyone needs a beat down it's them.

I do agree that Europe has far and above the best festivals in the world.

 

[stefan86]

Metal/alternative people are so common in Sweden that mostly only random isolated idiots get on your case because of it. I think much of that derives culturally from the lack of religion in politics and such.

 

[Krigloch the Furious]

I never get looks because of metal shirts..

 

[DarkNoise]

I think much of that derives culturally from the lack of religion in politics and such.

well put man. from what I've gathered, Swedes are allowed to be a little more individualistic and you're actually allowed to have unique ideas without being frowned on.

 

[Karmic]

still you don't get GREAT jobs if you're scantily clad and tatooed

although I don't know how it is in teh wimminz case

 

[Cat5Messiah]

although I don't know how it is in teh wimminz case

my roflknife goes sliec slice sliec sclie slice LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

You guys sure are killing that.

 

[Cat5Messiah]

no u

 

[Karmic]

hey man shut up this is a serious conversation and I won't have any of your disrespect

so you'd better go home and think about what you've done while drinking some EXCELLENT SNAPPLE

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

no u

Outstanding.

 

[Cat5Messiah]

Fuck Snapple! I am going to come to Sweden and steal your wimminz.

 

[Karmic]

Stefan told me that in sweden we call them kvinns

 

[azal]

metal.

 

[stefan86]

well put man. from what I've gathered, Swedes are allowed to be a little more individualistic and you're actually allowed to have unique ideas without being frowned on.

Well there's a lot of negative stuff to say about Sweden as well for sure but you're semi-right on that statement. I don't think it's so much the uniqueness that is accepted; It's rather the fact that the quantity of people into hard rock/metal is so big in Sweden and most other scandinavian countries. People are just so used to it.

 

[derek]

My Swedish experience was a 50/50 split of rock/metallers to non-rock/metallers. The two groups didn't really mix, but because it was so even, nobody batted an eye lid. In some respects it was very refreshing.

That said, this applies to me very little, for don't dress like a rock/metal fan, and it's probably the last genre of music people guess I would like.