MAN ASKED FOR LIGHT STILL PATS POCKETS DESPITE KNOWING HE DOESN’T HAVE ONE

A local man who does not own a lighter has admitted to performing a full pocket-patting routine every time he is asked for one by a stranger.

The man, described as someone who finds social interaction "a challenge to be fair", was approached in a smoking area over the weekend and asked if he had a light.

Despite knowing with absolute certainty that he did not possess a lighter, the man proceeded to pat down his front trouser pockets and chest pockets despite wearing a t-shirt, he briefly consider his back pockets before responding, "Sorry mate, I don't have one."

"Look, everyone does it," he explained. "It's normal to check your pockets. You give it a good go. I'm sure I don't have one, but what if by some freak of nature a lighter slipped out of someone's hand and into my pocket? You just never know."

The man went on to suggest that society should operate on greater levels of trust.

"When I say I don't have a lighter, people should just say 'fair enough mate' and believe me. But nine times out of ten, they start trying to pat my pockets themselves."

The stranger who originally asked for the lighter offered a different perspective.

"You know what? I was actually fairly reassured when he patted his pockets and said he didn't have it. I think it's a good system. We shouldn't try and change a great system."

He added that he believed the world would be a better place if more people patted their pockets to confirm they didn't have things.

"Even if someone says 'have you got a car I could borrow?' - you know what, pat your pockets. Just so we all know you definitely haven't got one in there."