The Nice People Thread, No.16: A Universe of Niceness.

PasturesNew

I'd not want to be any tree - and I'd question why you thought it a relevant question in an interview.... it's all nonsense - and I'd tell you so.

Because that's the way I roll folks. No... I don't ever get invited back anywhere a 2nd time

Pyxis

PasturesNew wrote: »

I'd not want to be any tree - and I'd question why you thought it a relevant question in an interview.... it's all nonsense - and I'd tell you so.

Because that's the way I roll folks. No... I don't ever get invited back anywhere a 2nd time

What they are probably looking for is an answer, any answer, as opposed to just a blank look.
It doesn't matter what the answer is, as long as it is coherent.
So your response would be perfectly valid!

A bit like the mushroom question that is posted on here!

chris_m

Pyxis wrote: »

No, because they are 4ft tall, but have been pruned to maintain that size,and not grow any taller.

True bonsai are a lot smaller.

So, mine are giant bonsai.

So there.

Or, simply dwarf oaks.

Pffft

:rotfl:

Pyxis

chris_m wrote: »

Or, simply dwarf oaks.

Pffft

:rotfl:

No, not dwarf oaks. Dwarf oaks would be a lot bigger.
Giant bonsai.

PasturesNew

Pyxis wrote: »

What they are probably looking for is an answer, any answer, as opposed to just a blank look.
It doesn't matter what the answer is, as long as it is coherent.
So your response would be perfectly valid!

A bit like the mushroom question that is posted on here!

To be honest .... I bet it's more "the middle classes" that could even name more than 2-3 trees, putting lesser-aware people on a backfoot when trying to think of one and then try to work out how they can force that to be relevant.

Many kids from middle class backgrounds, for example, are more likely to be National Trust members, dragged out on hikes/walks round forests at weekends .... whereas those from poorer backgrounds will just be hanging out at the local set of swings with whoever also turned up ... smoking, watching the lads on mopeds and messing about on the roundabout whizzing round upside down
... trees? Dunno ... there are trees at the rec, but dunno what they are.

silvercar

In primary school our exercise books had different subjects on the back by rotation. One was a picture of 9 different trees and their leaves. Certainly not a middle class school.

SingleSue

I was asked the tree question in an interview once...I was stumped briefly, couldn't think of any trees so said "Why a tree? I don't want to be a tree, can I be a carnation or a rose instead?"

I got the job but I think they realised that I was ever so slightly different to the norm from that moment on.

PasturesNew

silvercar wrote: »

In primary school our exercise books had different subjects on the back by rotation. One was a picture of 9 different trees and their leaves. Certainly not a middle class school.

I could identify .... conkers, oak tree, weeping willow ... now I'm starting to get really stuck.

I think that's my lot. And I lived in the countryside.

EDIT: Oh ... sycamore, sort of - I can recognise those little "blades" they drop, not the tree itself.

I don't like trees. I think we have way too many ...

EDIT 2 hours later: Oh, just remembered another one: Pines, with pine cones.

Pyxis

PasturesNew wrote: »

I could identify .... conkers, oak tree, weeping willow ... now I'm starting to get really stuck.

I think that's my lot. And I lived in the countryside.

EDIT: Oh ... sycamore, sort of - I can recognise those little "blades" they drop, not the tree itself.

I don't like trees. I think we have way too many ...

EDIT 2 hours later: Oh, just remembered another one: Pines, with pine cones.

You probably know silver birch...... they are distinctive.

I'm hopeless at thinking on my feet, especially when stressed or nervous, so God only knows what I would have come up with.
If I were quick enough, though, I might have said I'd be a triffid, so that I wouldn't have to be rooted to the spot but could wander about at will, and could zap anyone I didn't like the look of.

That might not have got me through the interview, though!

Yes, I know a triffid might not strictly be a tree, but is anyone going to argue with a triffid about its classification?

PasturesNew

Pyxis wrote: »

...

Maybe the correct response is to gather your belongings, stand up, stare them in the face and say "I am making like a tree ... and leaving. Nobody wants to work with the sort of people that think this is an acceptable way to conduct interviews for responsible jobs."

Then go.

Monkey puzzle tree - that's another one

Actually, maybe I am a monkey puzzle tree ... as I can't be worked out, or understood - and yet I'm there, "awkwardly".