Tagalog lore informs us that gnomes get upset and make people sick if someone goes behind a tree and accidentally pisses on them or drops food, wrappers, or other stuff on their heads. The truth is that gnomes are more forgiving than that, knowing and accepting that people can't help being people.

There is only one way to hurt and insult gnomes, and that is to step on their super-sensitive toes. That is why they often wear boots with protective, brass, pointy tips.