Interviews are stressful enough with the usual “tell me about yourself” or “where do you see yourself in five years.” But imagine sitting across from HR only to be asked, “If you were a kitchen utensil, what would you be and why?” That’s exactly what happened to one candidate, who shared the bizarre experience on Reddit. The internet quickly jumped in, mixing frustration with some hilariously creative answers.
While the original poster admitted they were completely thrown off—wondering why they were suddenly being compared to a spatula instead of talking spreadsheets—others saw the humor in it.
Internet reacts
Some users argued it was a test of abstract thinking, and then delivered answers HR probably never expected. One person described themselves as a chef’s knife—sharp, versatile, and reliable when cared for, but dangerous when ignored. Another claimed they’d be a fire extinguisher, putting out crises before they got out of control.
The creativity didn’t stop there. Someone called themselves a potato masher, proudly admitting they “don’t quite fit in a drawer” and can be difficult if forced into the wrong space. Another user waxed poetic, saying they’d be a silk-lined velvet opera cape if the question were about clothing—luxurious, soft, and protective all at once.
Many slammed the ‘kitchen utensil’ question
Not everyone found it amusing, though. Several commenters slammed the question as lazy and irrelevant. One said such gimmicks signal a bad fit with the company, while another HR professional admitted they’d never waste a candidate’s time this way. Instead, they suggested a straightforward question like, “What’s the proudest moment you’ve had at work?”—a lot more useful than making applicants debate whether they’re more of a fork or a whisk.