I feel so sorry for this man.

I have never been 'flashed' at I am glad to say I but if it were to happen wouldn't it be wonderful if we could say something along the lines of....... hang on minute while I get my magnifying glasses out of my bag

When I was in my teens I was walking up a country lane and there seemed to be a lot of traffic..until I realised it was the same car driving backwards and forwards. It drove on ahead of me and, at the top of the lane was a man standing there with hIs trousers down. I ran to the main road which, thankfully wasn't far and continued to run for quite a while. I doubt if the man was dangerous or I would have been in serious trouble, but I was in a blind panic to run away from him. Don't think I ever told anyone, probably thinking I was a bit daft to be walking there in the first place.

Greatnan you have just reminded me of a situation I dealt with as a Social Worker a few years ago when a little girl told her mum that a teenage relative had flashed at her some time before. I had to interview the child with her mother to see whether there was a case for the Police to investigate and also to assess the risk he may pose. Her mother and I adopted our most solemn expressions and I asked the little girl in my best social work voice 'and how did you feel when that happened?' - long pause - to which she replied 'I just thought it was funny'. Her mum and I caught each others' eyes and we all had to laugh.

I am not suggesting that flashing at little girls is always funny or harmless but I do think we can sometimes project our own feelings on to children. As you said Greatnan it can be a good opportunity to talk to children about strange things some adults do.

I was flashed when a student. I then had to walk to the police station down the same road in the dark, after phoning them - great idea! When I arrived a policewoman took my statement and asked "Was he erect?" - I answered this and then she started to giggle. I said I couldn't really see the joke and she apologised. It seems that she had asked the same question of an Irish lady previously and, after a bit of thought, the lady said (in Irish accent) "Well no, he was sort of bending sideways and leaning over" !!!

The worst outcome of this incident was that a young policeman, who had been in the station when I went to give my statement, proceeded to pester me for weeks, arriving with bunches of flowers etc, in spite of me telling him I had a boyfriend!

My daughters were 'flashed' when they were about 11 and 9. Far from being shocked or frightened, they both broke into peals of laughter and the man looked very embarrassed and ran away. We did ring the police, though, as the next little girl might have reacted differently. He was arrested when he was reported for being a 'Peeping Tom' in the next village.
The girls were interviewed by a policewoman and she couldn't help smiling when she asked them if they could identify him. They said, they were not sure as they were not looking at his face.
It made a good opportunity for us to talk about why some people did strange things.

Poor guy - if he wants to wander about naked and cold I suppose that's up to him. As Mrs.Patrick Campbell said 'as long he doesn't frighten horses and children', I have changed that slightly to suit this situation. As Annika said as long as keeps away from children why not.
Someone said on Radio 4 today that he was naked whilst in prison, as prisons are notoriously cold however did he manage. I don't think he is pathetic or should get a life pammygran he's just an eccentric - something we Brits are known for. Good luck to him, just don't come by my house.

As long as he isn't walking passed schools or childrens play areas let him get on with it. Speaking for myself I don't really want to see him or his 'bits', but if I did happen to pass him while he was out and about it wouldn't shock me, after I have been married for nearly 40 years and I have 2 sons so there would be no surprises there !

It doesn't sound as though he is doing any harm. He is not actually waving it at anyone, or popping out of the bushes to frighten the natives. He just wants to ramble around the countryside in a state of nature, which must get distinctly chilly in our uncertain climate. It is a bit like the furore about breastfeeding in public, everyone is so obsessed with the sexual aspects of private parts that they overlook that about 50% of the population have a willy and the other 50% have a pair of boobs.

Yes Pammygran. There was a reason why he wasn't allowed to go quietly on his way.

What a strange attitude, pammygran.

Hello jeni.

Hello again!

We should all have a laugh at his tiny winkle! Pathetic jerk! Get a life

There must be a better way of dealing with him. But what?