Pavel

Pavel's a member of the RLF.

The Redhead Liberation Front.

He's red - and he's proud.

"When I was growing up, people used to call me "carrot top" and "ginger" all the time", he says.

"Of course, you try to laugh it off - but after a while it begins to get to you.

"I even thought of using hair dye at one point.

"But then I met my first boyfriend and he convinced me that there are plenty of guys around who get really turned on by my colouring."

We were getting a bit confused at this point.

After all, at first glance, you could well think that Pavel was just another typically blond Slav boy.

 Pavel knew what we were thinking.

"Look closer", he said.

"Can't you see the red freckles on my cheeks?"

We were still a little bit doubtful.

But Pavel knew just how to convince us.

"I know, I know", he said.

"The sun bleaches the red colour out of my hair, especially when it's cropped short like now.

"But take a look at this."

Of course, once we'd seen that, there was no longer any question.

But, in the same fortunate circumstances, wouldn't you go on saying that you still needed to see more proof?

This was, we told Pavel, an issue that was turning out to need the closest investigation.

Fortunately, he was keen to help us out.

"Look, he said, "it's red everywhere down below."

It certainly was.

"It's strange", said Pavel.

"Hardly anyone can see my colouring to start with.

"And so I almost always have to prove the point just like I've done for you."

And, do you know, it turned out that that was just about the least surprising thing Pavel told us all day.