AIBU to think takeaway iced coffee at interviews is unprofessional?

Yes, for me anyway

Nope, it's tacky and unprofessional. It does appear immature, frivolous and not very sensitive to what is needed in formal occasions. I would definitely judge. I work in a school.
Practically: condensation, ice nose, slurping, that weird noise straws make sliding in and out of the plastic lid, one hand not free and cold and damp (not great when meeting people and shaking hands), spilling. I wouldn't take a hot coffee in either for most of the above reasons. Once offered a drink (provided you're sitting and settled, not juggling your portfolio /CV, coat and briefcase /bag on the way into the interview room) it's fine to accept.

Yes

Age 41, manager at a uni, creative role

Turn up in jeans if you like but bring a takeaway coffee? God no! It’ll make things awkward and I would be concerned about your judgement. Just finish your drink and bin it before you arrive.

I work in finance and have done many interviews within professional services firm and within a corporate. I guess I’ve been in enough bad interviews that have taught me where to be picky and where not to be. For me this isn’t one. I might have other things I care about though that others wouldn’t

I wouldn't do it as an interviewee but as an interviewer I'd not judge it a bad thing.

Maybe they were killing time after turning up early to make sure they were on time. Maybe it's a comfort to have something to hold or sip from. Maybe they don't know the fact it's mostly frowned upon.

If they interview well who really cares? What is it telling you that their answers and demeanour during interview doesn't? That they have a penchant for cold stimulants?

I work in mental health.

Heaven forbid!

48, NHS. Extremely rude.

I'd think less of a candidate if they brought a drink in for an interview. It feels a bit too casual. If it came down between two or three people who seemed equally good fits for the job, I'd probably choose someone who didn't bring a drink or food in with them. 💁And it would never occur to me to bring something to sip or nibble on to an interview, either. Save it for later.

Nicely ironic.

The interviewer should be the professional in hiring and focus on the actually important stuff. Being bothered and distracted by their feelings about a coffee is the only unprofessional thing in the room.

On the other hand, the interviewee, unless applying for HR job, is a professional in something else. And human as well.

I've worked in two professions for any length of time. In the police (though this is 30 years ago, but I would think would still apply?) - definitely inappropriate in interview. Far too informal, shows a lack of restraint.

In software and tech support, as an interviewer it would barely register and would be fine. As a candidate I'd never do it (far too worried I'd spill it down it me, apart from anything else).

As long as they're people that stay within your very narrow and arbitrary set of rules, obviously.

I think it is a a little bit rude
It feels pretty greedy and needy
I think it is a tiny bit distracting
I think it shows a small to medium lack of...

Wow. Can you hear yourself?
Letting your feelings and personal opinions about something super small to influence your evaluation of a candidate? It sounds so self-important and judgmental.

Unless you are hiring a coach of mid-level corporate etiquette, try to not get distracted so easily and don't focus on a made up nonsense.

Slight tangent, but in the same vein. I work for an established tech company in sales, so it’s pretty corporate. During an internal group video call, an individual was drinking a can of Tango. Don’t know why, but it felt unprofessional.

I know an iced coffee is a bit causal but is it really any different to bringing in a hot coffee? Would that be a no too?

I am a manager with direct hiring responsibility for my team and I don't think it would bother me. People of all grades seem to come to business meetings clutching takeaway coffee, I don't see this as any different.

I think if you care about making a good impression, you don’t turn up at interview with a large drink.

Hmm it feels like something a young millennial or Gen Z would do. Probably says they’re more interested in what the company can do for them and they’ll be expecting a good hybrid working pattern or regular work from home.

I really think it say a lot about the interviewer if they judge a candidate for bringing a drink. Its almost like they want the ideal candidate to be robotic and dont want to see them as an actual human. They are looking for someone who will follow every instruction without question and look up to their bosses. Bringing the coffee indicated the interviewee is a real human who may have their own thoughts and ideas. I think those that dont care would make much better bosses as they probably dont see themselves as "above" the interviewee.

Honestly, what's this obsession with coffee, and everyone has to have one in their hand all the time?

Interviewer can do what they like. Interviewee, no, just try and be as simple as you can. I used to try and make jokes during interviews PURELY out of nerves, and always got horrible looks and never got called back. So since those days I've tried to be as bland as possible without coming across like a total bore. Sometimes I've taken water in and explained I have asthma which can bring on a sore throat.

Outrageous! But given how often I now encounter this in public spaces I guess not that surprising.

Ive seen what bugs/glasses some people ( read some male colleagues) put water in for interviewees. I’d take in my own water in a bottle. If a produce tube employer, takes issue with that, I don’t want to work there.