NAME: The Pony-tailed Mole.
NATIONALITY: Chinese.
AGE: Getting on a bit. Several decades have usually passed by the time it has sprouted sufficiently to catch the eye.
DICTIONARY DEFINITION: 'A darkly pigmented spot, usually raised above the surrounding surface, rough and covered with hair.' LAYWOMAN'S DEFINITION: 'Eeeeeeuuuw! one of those things.' BRIEF HISTORY: The hairy mole is of course universal, but the extremely lengthy hairy mole is a Chinese affectation, one which sprouts from men - usually past the age of 30 - like a horse's tail.
Few people forget their first sighting of one: a normal response is to stare for some time, resist the urge to reach over and tug on it, then make a point of telling a friend about it.
Although the explanation varies from person to person, it is commonly understood the hairy mole is believed by Chinese to be a sign of good fortune/prosperity/longevity. This explanation is, of course, used to explain away all other phenomena which raise alien eyebrows: garish red and gold restaurant decorations, jade jewellery, paunches.