Known on social media as @mycringe.s–t, Dew, a content creator from Switzerland, recently went viral after sharing a video demonstrating the functionality of her unique tattoo. The clip, which shows her scanning the barcode at a grocery self-checkout terminal, has garnered more than 19 million views on Instagram.
“For everyone wondering if my Red Bull barcode works, yes it does,” she captioned the video, which shows the scanner successfully registering a 250 ml can of the energy drink.
In an interview with Jam Press, Dew explained that she had long considered getting a barcode tattoo. While her initial idea was to ink something humorous like broccoli, she ultimately chose Red Bull because she associates the beverage with “thinking energy.”
The design, which cost over ₹52,000 (approximately $600 USD), features a barcode being nibbled on by a cartoonish worm — a creative addition inspired by a sketch drawn by her sister. The final tattoo has drawn comparisons to the barcode motif featured in the Hitman video game franchise.
Despite skepticism from her tattoo artist about whether the barcode would function, Dew was undeterred. “I knew it possibly couldn’t work as my artist was very open about it,” she said. “I tried the next day at work and it did, I was so excited about it.”
In the viral video, she beams with excitement as the scanner successfully registers the product, prompting an audible cheer as she points at the confirmation on the screen.
Online reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with many users applauding both the creativity and the technical success of the tattoo. One viewer summed up the sentiment: “Compliments to the artist.”
Related topics: