Robin Z.
Yelp
So you think your daughter's boyfriend looks like a creep, do you? His bleached blond hair gelled into spikes, his druggy face studded with all kinds of objects, tattoos up the yingyang, bad attitude, ragged clothes, carries a war-ax...
Well, he may simply be honoring the Berserker.
Southern England is pockmarked with ancient Celt/Viking/Berserker settlements all protected by the English Heritage group (http://www.english-heritage.org.uk) maintained for their educational and historical significance. These ancient warriors fought friend and foe while in a heightened state of uncontrollable fury, a madness known as bärsärkar-gång (going berserk).
These were some very bad-ass hombres who'd charge into battle with no armor, no guns and no mercy, just drugged-out ornery bastards with blades. They'd line their settlement walls with the heads of their enemies. Some would ride into battle on small, nimble chariots where they could swing off to stab at a foe and leap back on. As the myth goes, no weapons could harm these "shape-shifters". They were civilization's greatest nightmare and no one wished to be captured alive by any of them. With lemon-bleached hair spiked up with honey, henna tattoos from head to toe, wolf or bear skins their only protection, hopped up on magic mushrooms and alcohol, they were feared by all including their own kind. I don't think I could be their friend.
But it's worth a look-see while in this beautifully scenic region of southern England and maybe you could take a second look at your daughter's boyfriend. He just might be showing respect to the ancients. Doubtful, but it's worth a shot.
(photos up when I find them)