I talked to a bald guy at lunch today. He had a 'billy goat' goatee. Probably 4 inches long, at least. He sounded Australian, but he works in Papua New Guinea.
He said that he was pull over for a traffic stop by armed policemen. Huge machine guns. Very intimidating looking. Wondered what they wanted. Passport and ID's in hand, they were expecting the worst (he was with his wife). As the policeman approached, he asked, "May I stroke your beard? I want to know what it feels like!" Satisfied, they were waved on.
Most locals who have facial hair have short, coarse and wiry beards. The cop had never seen a long soft beard and wondered what it felt like!
Good laugh for all!