Woman Asking Fiancé To Remove Tattoo of Ex-Wife's Name Splits Internet

A woman has divided the internet after asking her fiancé to get rid of the tattoo of his ex-wife's name on his back because it bothers her, and it's "a little awkward" to explain to people.

She explained in a Mumsnet post, under the username Leopardfish, that when her partner was 19 years old, he married an older woman who had two kids of her own, and as a wedding present to her, he got all their names tattooed on his back.

According to the post, the two divorced five years later, and he hasn't seen them in over eight years. While the poster said she was not "jealous or anything," and she "knows he had a life before [she] came along," the tattoos still bothered her, and she mentioned it to him "a couple of times."

Statistics show that of the 21 percent of Americans who have tattoos, between 14 and 16 percent have experienced regret, and 11 percent have been planning on getting one or more tattoos removed.

Since 2011, tattoo removals in the country have increased by 32 percent.

But removing a tattoo can be way more expensive than getting one. While the average rate of a tattoo artist is about $150 an hour, and the price for a small tattoo is around $45, the average cost of laser tattoo removal is about $423, according to according to 2020 data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

The poster has raised the issue with her boyfriend in the past, but he's always told her that the tattoos don't bother him, as he can't see them, and that he'd rather spend the money on them instead rather than get a tattoo removal or cover-up.

In the comments, she reassured readers that she won't leave him over a few awkward tattoos because she loves him, and they're about to have a baby together, but she has felt "a little sad when [she's] lying next to him and that's all [she] can see." She said she was already wondering how to explain this to their baby when they get old enough to read.

Opinion online was divided, and while some thought she should just let it go, others felt she had the right to express her discomfort.

One user, phishy, said: "YABU [YouAreBeingUnreasonable]. He is not bothered and you knew about the tattoo when you decided to spend your life with [him]. It's very controlling behavior to ask him to remove it. Your insecurity is not reason enough to force him to undergo removal treatment."

And Justcallmebebes commented: "I disagree. It's not controlling at all to ask if he would mind covering it or whatever it is you do with tattoos. You can ask him, but if he doesn't want to, that's his prerogative. It's not controlling to ask though."

NoMichaelNo wrote: "Of course YABU, he's not bothered about it so it's your issue to deal with." While on the other hand, Bumbers said: "YABU. Obviously, you know he was married, but you should have to look at the name of another woman on his skin. He might not have to see it, but you can. I would hate that!"

And dreamingbohemian added: "Of course, it's fine to ask him. You're not demanding it, and I'm sure you'll respect his feelings. If you get married and have children, I do think it would be weird for him to walk around with a tattoo of what are now strangers."

Newsweek was not able to verify the details of the case.