What do you think of garden nomes.

Gnomes are determined, they fish in all weather, they are hardworkers as denoted by the wheel barrows they push, but are vertically challenged for most jobs.

Geez don, why the pent up anger? I love this question, particularly if it was the first question or if the interviewee appeared to be so uptight, the interviewer wasn't going to get a view of the real personality of the interviewee. My opinion, potential response is to laugh and answer somewhat similar. "It depends are they wearing a red or a green jacket?"

I prefer gargoyles and dragons instead. Gnomes are too happy.

It depends.... Do they like Prosecco?

I couldn't eat a whole one

Me: a bit over-sized but perfectly acceptable for Lawn Darts.

I've never given any thought to garden gnomes. Is that what you make here?

ok, so this is for Trader Joe's, who I think might actually sell garden gnomes: "Some people like them. I would sell them in the gardenning section of the store and probably only stock them in the Spring"

I'd ask in return: what value do they offer? For example if you put a gnome in the garden, do they scare aware birds? and then finally, how does this question relate to the job?

I am not going to lie. I will always through in a ridiculous question, which has no bearing on the position, simply for my amusement. Let's face it if you are doing interviews all day, you have to let yourself have some fun. Yes I do work for a major corporation and I have never been ridiculed for doing so.

As someone who has interviewed thousands of people in the course of my career, I suspect this question is designed more to get people talking and to show their underlying personality. TJ's (full disclosure...I love shopping there), is a retail outlet and it's important for employees to make connections with their customers. I've overheard some pretty bizarre questions asked during shopping trips there and you want employees who will take them in stride.

I think of George Harrison, David Robinson, and Travelocity. I think George had an album cover with gnomes on it. David Robinson was playing one on one with Tim Duncan and used a gnome as a boundary. Well, Travelocity is well known for it traveling gnome. Not sure I would think of these off the cuff at an interview though.

@don... generally speaking, when called for an interview, you are already qualified for the job, that's what the resume is for, the purpose of the interview is two part, one, to verify the stuff you wrote on the resume is accurate and two, to see how you will "fit" into the company (this goes both ways), being this is trader joe's...i think it is an appropriate question which could be answered with some humor and spin it by injecting how you can contribute to the company.

Could be an excellent prop for displaying the garden fresh ___________ that is on sale this week! Shows that you've actually been in a Trader Joe's

I think Gnomes are overrated

I would laugh and say, "Great question!!" It would show me that the manager has a sense of humor, and I like that at a job. It would also put me more at ease.

If I could get work as one then I probably wouldn't be here today talking to you.

It would depend where in the interview this occurred. It could be a waste of time, it could be a put at ease ice-breaker, or it could reveal your general view on somewhat pointless, quirky things. Since Trader Joe's is a quirky style company (floral print shirts, a giant bell used to make announcements, a tounge in cheek mailer, I would view it as an attempt to determine if I would embrace quirky or be frustrated by it. Now if this was asked at an interview at a large corporate bank, I'd view it as a waste of time question

Horrible conversationilists.

As the Goddess of inspiration, Cerridwen would answer that this is an excellent question for a potential team member of Trader Joe's to answer. This question is a concrete one that requests the interviewee to show creativity. What I personally think of garden gnomes is irrelevant; however, what does matter is - can I present garden gnomes to potential buyers in such a way that the need to own at least one helps sell the product - and by extension, can I help the seller to create a positive view of garden gnomes to help sell them. Gnomes are magical beings regardless of what they look like - but they can be cute or ugly --- which is in the eye of the beholder. My job is create a cuteness and utility to having a gnome in ones garden or anywhere else that a gnome would be useful.

@ Shining Star. You just do not get it. This interview question alone, has triggered your frustration, and displayed your inability to improvise and just have fun. Take the interviewer at face value, and stretch your imagination to an unknown world that you have never considered possible. If you can consider a video game as a reality, try using your imagination as the same tool. You think, therefore it can be possible.

If they can't get their DPS over 45K in Elegon, they need to be vote kicked.

There very different

Its spelled "gnomes" and they're creepy

Contradiction. Abnormal yet normal

They are my Spirit Mammal.

They are my Spirit Mammal.

... do not think of till you bring them up.

I prefer gargoyles and dragons instead. I am a litigator.

With my eyes closed.

I never think of Garden Nomes. never did like them, and they should be banned in all gardens immediately if not sooner!!

I think they are effective to keep one's garden... cute.

When I was a kid, I enjoyed watching that cartoon that chronicled the life of a garden gnome and his wife. Boy, those garden gnomes sure live a dangerous life!

More people should give them credit for being the original flower children!

I'd love them if it gave me a chance to hang out with Harry Potter trying to toss them out of the garden.

I think Toadaly is on the money. Given that this is for a retail organisation, I would say I'm not keen personally but if there is money to be made selling them that's entirely different.

Hmm - Chunks of cheap concrete or plaster, with simple, easy to reproduce in quantity, with the opportunities for endless new model varieties - at a truly ridculous markup once you have a marketable design - I wish I had royalty rights on that product! Too bad about the shipping costs with gas prices, but at least you'd never have to worry that the stock would spoil, as you can leave them out in the rain!

You would not see them in my front yard.

I don't think of them much, but I suppose I'm wondering three things right now: 1. What is with the gnome in the Travelocity commercial? How does a gnome make you want to take a vacation? 2. Why are their hats taller than they are? It's like whoever manufactured them was making fun of them which is sad since whoever manufactured them was getting money for doing so. So basically, whoever manufactured them was making fun of the thing that helps pay their bills. 3. Why did you misspell "gnome"?

I think it is just getting more stupid the interviews. they are playing with people who are more than able to do the job, the questions are just entertainment for the interviewers. I like critical thinking but people are making are mock of it. Who cares about gnome , or how many people are there in different places of the world? many are taking the opportunity to steal ideas from candidates to create new products for the company, it should be illegal or recorded in the boardroom(do not sell your idea), if it is really good , they will ignore you and keep your idea.

Y'know, it's funny. Everyone worries about the zombie apocalypse. No one is prepared for the gnome apocalypse. NO ONE :P.

"I own 7 garden gnomes carved out of materials reclaimed from abandoned indie record stores. I find they really compliment my whimsical woodsy decor. I've named each one after a different iconic bearded hipster folk indie pop singer. They are dank." (I assume that I would be a giant hipster if I was applying at Trader Joes"

My answer: I like garden gnomes. They are colorful, whimsical and can serve as a focal point in the garden. I suppose they aren't favored by everyone, but that's okay-our differences make the world more interesting. Is Trader Joes's thinking of selling Garden Gnomes in its stores? But what I'd really be thinking is: I can't believe I have to answer stupid questions like this one just to get affordable health insurance and an $ 8/hr job. What refuse of the bull! I feel sorry for all you job seekers here.

they're great for target practice....

Hm. I usually think of garden gnomes.