Generally speaking, why are men are happy to get flashed by women, but women are not happy to be flashed by men in non-threatening situations?
EXHIBIT A
For the women: Has a man exposed himself to you…
EXHIBIT B
For Male Dopers: If a woman exposed herself to you, would you be offended/upset?
So many reasons…
Almost all the guys in the thread for men ask ‘Well, is she hot?’ Most male flashers are not hot, and even if they are okay looking their actions make them seem mentally disturbed/sleazy and therefore quite unattractive. I think many guys are imagining getting flashed by a Playmate, not a herpes-infested, 45-year-old crackwhore.
The definition of a ‘non-threatening situation’ varies from person to person, and even though women are taught to fear dark alleyways I’ve seen (and had) plenty of close calls in broad daylight with other people around. If a woman (or girl. Notice many of those stories involve young girls and old men) is with her friends and they all see the guy I imagine it’s much less threatening… which is why perverts tend to zone in on lone females.
I’m sure there are other aspects to it. Men do it to disgust and freak out girls and women, (most) women (probably) do it to titillate. A dick can be used as a weapon. There’s the threat of ejaculation (and occasional reality. Wear those raincoats, ladies!)
If they are a “flasher” the encounter is intended to threatening and/or disgusting. Women, especially naked ones, are usually not a very frightening threat to most men. Sudden random naked people are not the same at all. I have only encountered random naked people in health care settings, at is is usually the result of medication, confusion, or discomfort. Everyone seems to respond about the same: a bland sort of “Lets get some clothes or at least a sheet on you, Mr/s” A base of annoyance covered with professionalism, with occasional repressed embarassment, horror, or humor depending on the circumstances.
Cat sums it up well.
I posted there about my non-threatening flashing experience. I didn’t mind, I was amused, and I enjoyed a bit of the view. 
But I admit that most of the guys that do those things are not cute young males.
The guys are imagining an average to hot looking woman, and probably just thinking about the boobies. They are not thinking of themselves as younger boys (when they were still naïve and innocent) being flashed (full frontal, crotch in all its glory) by someone they don’t know nor like (a creepy old woman). Nor are they thinking of someone they find completely unattractive masturbating themselves while looking at them.
If I am only being flashed by cute young men, I don’t think I would mind, I’ll probably enjoy it like the men in that thread said. But alas, the fantasy is not like the reality.
So a cute young lad displaying his package from behind bullet proof Plexiglas would be enjoyable?
I’ll be amused and entertained and steal a glance.
I’m currently reading the delightfully named book, Madame Bovary Ovaries, a Darwinian look at literature. It brings up precisely this issue.
IIRC, basically it’s that male biology is best served with multiple partners, while females are better served with a single partner (though not necessarily monogamous if someone better comes along). The gesture is a sign of sexual availability, which males are interested in, but which can be threatening to females.
What conurepete said. I don’t count “seeing a guy’s package at a clothes-optional beach” as flashing! Or frontal nudes in movies, or chippendale’s.
Men flashing is always threatening; it’s just the way modern culture views the male body.
What if a women flashes another women? Is that just as creepy to the women being flashed?