"Or so 'tis said."Not Orcs,' said another, releasing the hilt of his sword, which he had seized when he saw the glitter of Sting in Frodo's hand.
`Elves? ' said a third, doubtfully.
`Nay! Not Elves,' said the fourth, the tallest, and as it appeared the chief among them. `Elves do not walk in Ithilien in these days. And Elves are wondrous fair to look upon, or so 'tis said.'
Apparently Faramir - son of the Steward of Gondor - didn't know for certain what an elf looked like. Despite his station and the great population of Minas Tirith - he'd never even seen one with his own eyes. Nor had any of his men.
.... I think I'm going to have to update my mental image of Gondor a bit. I'd have certainly guessed that there was enough trade via Belfalas and the men of Dol Amroth that some contact with the elves existed.
I guess not. Hunh.