General Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan was at a barber shop for

a haircut. The barber asked him when he would hold elections.

Musharraf was evasive and said, "Later, not right now, the country

is not ripe for them." A little while later, the barber said, "I

think elections are a good idea." "Yes, yes," Musharraf replied, "in

principle yes, but not right now, when the country is ripe for them."

The barber waited for a while, then asked Musharraf again when   he

thought the time might be ripe for elections. Musharraf turned around

and said, visibly irritated. "You seem to be very interested in

elections!" "Not really," the barber said, "but each time I mention

elections, your hair stands up so nicely."