Gnomes are definitely my favorite race to play. I see it like this...

Gnomes are the smallest and wisest race in Thera, how can they NOT be incredibly witty? Contrary to popular belief, intelligence and wisdom don't always equate to drab and boring. I couldn't really imagine playing a gnome if I wasn't going to have a bit of fun with it, and I usually seem to recognize a bond with other gnomes/svirfs as well. Gnomes stick together and help each other, adventure and have fun, it's something you don't see in most other races. You can't have 3 people in a group that can only kill 3 or 4 mobs before they have to rest and still have fun... unless they're all gnomes.

Appearance makes up a larger part than you realize. Just because gnomes have those high stats, does not mean that the other races realize this and want some little 3 foot gnome telling them it's not in their best interests to do something. I tend to play chaotics, but when it comes down to it, the basis of my RP as a gnome is on my size. Whether it's 'I may be small but I'm the best! Everyone laughs, so let them underestimate me.' or just a happy go lucky gnome that stays out of the way of the silly beliefs of others, gnomes stand out in a distinct way.

I dunno, I don't have a problem with gnomes acting crazy and rambling about things. Gnomes are your favorite crazy old man with a million stories... in a childlike form. How can you go wrong?