Page 5 | AIBU to think takeaway iced coffee at interviews is unprofessional?

MasterBeth · 2026-09-23T18:45:03+00:00

Apparently, the world is debating this topic. Let's join in: Is it unprofessional to bring a takeaway iced coffee into a job interview? The answer to me is blindingly obvious, but not to everyone, it seems. Feel free to add your age and industry, in case that matters.

LeticiaMorales · 24/09/2026 13:14

Crushed23 · 24/09/2026 13:10

“subservient” to want a job you’re interviewing for… 🤦‍♀️

What decade/universe are people living in?

As someone who is currently job searching and has friends and colleagues in the same boat, we’re getting an interview for about 1 in 20-30 applications we submit. This is always a first round screening interview, with several more stages to come.

It is 100% an employer’s market out there. That’s why there’s been a surge of companies increasing office attendance (my industry is up to 3-4 days a week, on average).

Only an utter titwank would do anything that would risk giving a bad first impression, for the sake of what? Not going an hour without one’s preferred drink?

Exactly 💯

Crushed23 · 24/09/2026 13:13

Backedoffhackedoff · 24/09/2026 13:05

It’s subservient to miss the coffee you want because they won’t give you a job, yes.

Show quote history

Behave! 😂😂😂😂😂

Crushed23 · 24/09/2026 13:10

“subservient” to want a job you’re interviewing for… 🤦‍♀️

What decade/universe are people living in?

As someone who is currently job searching and has friends and colleagues in the same boat, we’re getting an interview for about 1 in 20-30 applications we submit. This is always a first round screening interview, with several more stages to come.

It is 100% an employer’s market out there. That’s why there’s been a surge of companies increasing office attendance (my industry is up to 3-4 days a week, on average).

Only an utter titwank would do anything that would risk giving a bad first impression, for the sake of what? Not going an hour without one’s preferred drink?

Backedoffhackedoff · 24/09/2026 13:08

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 13:06

It is crazy to miss the job you want because you can't do without a coffee for an hour, no?

Show quote history

The employer would give me the job I want, because I’m brilliant. They wouldn’t reject me over a coffee.

LeticiaMorales · 24/09/2026 13:08

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 13:06

It is crazy to miss the job you want because you can't do without a coffee for an hour, no?

Show quote history

I think for some people it's habitual and there's an element of entitlement. These big takeaway cups are taken everywhere, why not an interview?

FiveEightNine · 24/09/2026 13:08

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 12:52

How is it subservient to want the job you are interviewing for?

Show quote history

You expect people to cater for your feelings and "sensibilities". Effectively you are saying that the candidate should focus on thoughts like "could someone mighty feel potentially a teeny bit distracted by my coffee?" instead of just normally coming in as an equal to discuss the job and the company.

Don't you see how ridiculous it sounds? Like you have no idea what the actual job is about, so you are focusing on interpreting the personality from tea leaves a coffee cup.

LeticiaMorales · 24/09/2026 13:07

PreachyPie · 24/09/2026 13:04

Education.
I frequently interview teachers and teaching assistants. I would consider it totally inappropriate if a candidate brought anything other than water with them.

Absolutely. I've interviewed many teachers, and this would be regarded negatively. They arrive, tour the school, have an observation, then lunch. Then there are the interviews in the afternoon and we would provide water. In several decades, and even though it's become a thing, I've never seen a teaching candidate bring in a take out coffee of any kind.

Original poster

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 13:06

Backedoffhackedoff · 24/09/2026 13:05

It’s subservient to miss the coffee you want because they won’t give you a job, yes.

Show quote history

It is crazy to miss the job you want because you can't do without a coffee for an hour, no?

OP posts:

Backedoffhackedoff · 24/09/2026 13:05

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 13:01

I ask again, how is it subservient to want the job you are interviewing for? It isn't. You aren't subservient to your future employer because you have maximised your chances of being hired.

Show quote history

It’s subservient to miss the coffee you want because they won’t give you a job, yes.

PreachyPie · 24/09/2026 13:04

Education.
I frequently interview teachers and teaching assistants. I would consider it totally inappropriate if a candidate brought anything other than water with them.

TheFishFish · 24/09/2026 13:03

Crushed23 · 24/09/2026 12:58

Haven’t RTFT; but to the PP claiming that Gen Z are “as much assessing the interviewer as the interviewer is assessing them” - what a crock of shite.

The Gen Z I know are desperate for jobs - graduates who are months if not years into their search for a job, or teens at their wits end trying to find any part-time job to fit around studies.

In this job market, Gen Z do not have the luxury of turning down a job because the interviewer was a rigid, starchy Gen X-er.

I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous.

Obviously for entry level jobs, yes.

For professional jobs, no. I've turned down job offers on the basis of how companies have gone about recruitment.

TheFishFish · 24/09/2026 13:02

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 12:35

The whoosh you hear is the point flying over your head.

There are serious positions where everyone agrees carrying a takeaway iced coffee will form a negative impression, compared to someone not carrying a takeaway iced coffee.

There are less serious positions where not everyone agrees carrying a takeaway iced coffee will form a negative impression, compared to someone not carrying a takeaway iced coffee.

But there are no positions where carrying a takeaway iced coffee will form a positive impression, compared to someone not carrying a takeaway iced coffee.

You won't ever get rejected from a job interview because you didn't bring a takeaway iced coffee in with you. So not bringing one is the most rational position to take.

Show quote history

It's you who is missing the point, but there comes a point where you stop giving a shit so...

HeyThereDelila · 24/09/2026 13:02

Unprofessional.

The interviewers should provide a glass of water.

NotARealWookiie · 24/09/2026 13:01

I interview as part of a panel regularly for a city council. I wouldn’t notice or care.

Original poster

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 13:01

Backedoffhackedoff · 24/09/2026 12:55

I’m an experienced and skilled professional. I’m not subservient to my employer. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement

Show quote history

I ask again, how is it subservient to want the job you are interviewing for? It isn't. You aren't subservient to your future employer because you have maximised your chances of being hired.

OP posts:

LeticiaMorales · 24/09/2026 12:59

Crushed23 · 24/09/2026 12:58

Haven’t RTFT; but to the PP claiming that Gen Z are “as much assessing the interviewer as the interviewer is assessing them” - what a crock of shite.

The Gen Z I know are desperate for jobs - graduates who are months if not years into their search for a job, or teens at their wits end trying to find any part-time job to fit around studies.

In this job market, Gen Z do not have the luxury of turning down a job because the interviewer was a rigid, starchy Gen X-er.

I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous.

Fair point!

LeticiaMorales · 24/09/2026 12:59

It's a recent phenomenon, isn't it? These big takeaway hot or cold flavoured drinks. People have a much bigger disposable income now, so it''s become an everyday thing for some people.
I've never had a takeaway coffee in my life!

Crushed23 · 24/09/2026 12:58

Haven’t RTFT; but to the PP claiming that Gen Z are “as much assessing the interviewer as the interviewer is assessing them” - what a crock of shite.

The Gen Z I know are desperate for jobs - graduates who are months if not years into their search for a job, or teens at their wits end trying to find any part-time job to fit around studies.

In this job market, Gen Z do not have the luxury of turning down a job because the interviewer was a rigid, starchy Gen X-er.

I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous.

WingnutSOS · 24/09/2026 12:57

MuchAdoAboutSomething26 · 23/09/2026 19:46

Interviewer - their perogative
Interviewee - no way!

100%

Backedoffhackedoff · 24/09/2026 12:55

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 12:52

How is it subservient to want the job you are interviewing for?

Show quote history

I’m an experienced and skilled professional. I’m not subservient to my employer. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement

Original poster

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 12:52

FiveEightNine · 24/09/2026 12:50

You are still mixing most "rational" and "subservient".

Show quote history

How is it subservient to want the job you are interviewing for?

OP posts:

FiveEightNine · 24/09/2026 12:50

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 12:35

The whoosh you hear is the point flying over your head.

There are serious positions where everyone agrees carrying a takeaway iced coffee will form a negative impression, compared to someone not carrying a takeaway iced coffee.

There are less serious positions where not everyone agrees carrying a takeaway iced coffee will form a negative impression, compared to someone not carrying a takeaway iced coffee.

But there are no positions where carrying a takeaway iced coffee will form a positive impression, compared to someone not carrying a takeaway iced coffee.

You won't ever get rejected from a job interview because you didn't bring a takeaway iced coffee in with you. So not bringing one is the most rational position to take.

Show quote history

You are still mixing most "rational" and "subservient".

Original poster

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 12:35

TheFishFish · 24/09/2026 12:27

Yes, that is exactly my point.

Obviously, in some professions you need to turn up super formal and present as such.

In other jobs, not so much. If you get it wrong in either direction you show to the interviewer that you have misjudged things.

Turning up to a casual job for a trade in full business attire would be just as weird as turning up for a job at a big 4 in jeans. In some places coming in with a coffee would be fine, in others not.

Well done for getting there.

Edited

Show quote history

The whoosh you hear is the point flying over your head.

There are serious positions where everyone agrees carrying a takeaway iced coffee will form a negative impression, compared to someone not carrying a takeaway iced coffee.

There are less serious positions where not everyone agrees carrying a takeaway iced coffee will form a negative impression, compared to someone not carrying a takeaway iced coffee.

But there are no positions where carrying a takeaway iced coffee will form a positive impression, compared to someone not carrying a takeaway iced coffee.

You won't ever get rejected from a job interview because you didn't bring a takeaway iced coffee in with you. So not bringing one is the most rational position to take.

OP posts:

ScholesPanda · 24/09/2026 12:29

Why would judges at the Old Bailey need an iced coffee? They drink wine at lunch in the private dining rooms.

TheFishFish · 24/09/2026 12:28

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 24/09/2026 12:19

The industry is irrelevant - it's unprofessional for any workplace interview. If you are offered a drink, that is different. But you don't walk in with your sippy cup full of takeway coffee.

Of course the industry is relevant. It's about finding the best fit for the job. Culture is a big part of that. If you turn up for an interview for every single job in an ultra formal suit regardless, you are doing it wrong.