Page 7 | 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.

winkingeyealcoholsuggestion · 24/09/2026 11:53

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:49

I would expect you to say something like "I have a medical condition so I need to drink this/chew this" and, of course, that would be fine.

Similarly, someone being welcome to bring their guide dog to the interview doesn't mean it's fine for someone else to bring their pet to the interview.

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Disclosing medical conditions at interview usually means you have no chance of getting the job, so I guess I'm out of luck here.

WhatHappenedToYourFurnitureCuz · 24/09/2026 11:50

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:35

OMG! You got me! Are you a superstar lawyer?

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Are you able to address the point?

TheFishFish · 24/09/2026 11:50

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:43

No, I don't agree, Mr Spock, as explained thoroughly above.

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It is though, really.

If you are looking for the best person for a given job, them bringing a drink in shouldn't impact on that decision at all. It's just a coffee. To me, depending upon the industry, it would actually be a sign of someone who is relaxed and not uptight about the interview process and for certain jobs that is exactly what you want.

It's not a black and white thing, at all.

Original poster

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:49

winkingeyealcoholsuggestion · 24/09/2026 11:40

I see you've amended it a bit now, but as I said water might not be enough. Would you prefer someone to drink something else, use medication that looks a lot like sweets, or wonder if you should call an ambulance when I look like I'm dying? 😂

There's an additional option of gum and hoping for the best with water but I very much doubt you'd approve of gum either!

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I would expect you to say something like "I have a medical condition so I need to drink this/chew this" and, of course, that would be fine.

Similarly, someone being welcome to bring their guide dog to the interview doesn't mean it's fine for someone else to bring their pet to the interview.

OP posts:

Butchyrestingface · 24/09/2026 11:49

winkingeyealcoholsuggestion · 24/09/2026 11:45

This is what I'm gathering!

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Initially I thought taking an iced coffee into a job interview was unprofessional not least because I hate coffee.

The more the thread progressed, I realised a shot of caffeine would probably be the LEAST I'd need to get through one of OP's interview panels.

toomuchtooold · 24/09/2026 11:46

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:17

They aren't going to judge me for finding it off-putting because they won't know I found it off-putting.

They probably just won't get hired or, at least, will have to be better than other candidates.

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Yeah exactly. Nobody running an interview will want to let on that they are rejecting you on the basis of anything other than "there was a better qualified candidate, sorry" because none of us want to get our company sued. But having supervised one of these "it's my human right to drink my coffee, I have an until now undisclosed very serious medical condition that requires me to rehydrate every nine minutes" people for an internship a couple of years ago I would never want to take on someone who showed the slightest similarity to that person, god what an absolute pain in the arse she was. I would be prepared to miss out on quite a few well qualified candidates to avoid hiring another one like her.

winkingeyealcoholsuggestion · 24/09/2026 11:45

Backedoffhackedoff · 24/09/2026 11:44

I don’t think you can do anything, people like OP won’t hire someone who needs to drink all day

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This is what I'm gathering!

Backedoffhackedoff · 24/09/2026 11:44

winkingeyealcoholsuggestion · 24/09/2026 11:31

Can I ask a question to the people who don't think a drink should be brought in?

I have xerostomia and have to have a drink with me at all times because if my throat dries out I start choking (which I also need a drink for 😂). I have some medication for it that looks a bit like weird fruit gums. I wouldn't be able to just hope there was water in the room, I'd have to bring something. Tbh water isn't the best thing for it either because it doesn't stimulate salvia. Talking makes it worse.

I don't drink any kind of coffee, but what would you lot expect me to do in the interview? Completely genuine question as I'm actually not sure!

I don’t think you can do anything, people like OP won’t hire someone who needs to drink all day

Original poster

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:43

TheFishFish · 24/09/2026 11:39

You understand though that such a judgement is completely illogical?

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No, I don't agree, Mr Spock, as explained thoroughly above.

OP posts:

margegunderson · 24/09/2026 11:40

BeardOToots · 23/09/2026 19:47

Ok, so at the age of 50, I have never attended a job interview, but I think it would depend on what the job was. Creative industries, no biggie. Senior management, terrible look.

How?

putmeonthebackburner · 24/09/2026 11:40

It’s so unprofessional. The entire discourse is mind boggling

winkingeyealcoholsuggestion · 24/09/2026 11:40

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:33

I would expect you bring a bottle of water - or whatever is best for you - in your bag, in case you weren't offered a drink by your interviewee, which you almost always would be.

Edited

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I see you've amended it a bit now, but as I said water might not be enough. Would you prefer someone to drink something else, use medication that looks a lot like sweets, or wonder if you should call an ambulance when I look like I'm dying? 😂

There's an additional option of gum and hoping for the best with water but I very much doubt you'd approve of gum either!

TheFishFish · 24/09/2026 11:39

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:17

They aren't going to judge me for finding it off-putting because they won't know I found it off-putting.

They probably just won't get hired or, at least, will have to be better than other candidates.

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You understand though that such a judgement is completely illogical?

pulpJarvis · 24/09/2026 11:37

As an interviewer I'd mark someone down for that. If they needed caffeine, have a drink beforehand - if they are genuinely thirsty - then I'd probably forgive a bottle of water, but there would be water on the table.

I'm old though and also think that you should dress smartly for an interview, not bring your mum with you, and - on a different track - shouldn't wear pyjamas to breakfast in a hotel.

Original poster

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:35

WhatHappenedToYourFurnitureCuz · 24/09/2026 11:28

Do you think it's wrong to presume someone would understand something and judge them for not intuiting it?

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OMG! You got me! Are you a superstar lawyer?

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DeftGoldHedgehog · 24/09/2026 11:34

I wouldn't do it as a candidate, nor wrangle a hot coffee either. I spilt coffee down my front on the way to a conference the other day so wouldn't trust myself.

But it wouldn't necessarily be a deal-breaker for me as an employer or interviewer. Loud slurping or straw sucking noises would be, mind.

Original poster

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:33

winkingeyealcoholsuggestion · 24/09/2026 11:31

Can I ask a question to the people who don't think a drink should be brought in?

I have xerostomia and have to have a drink with me at all times because if my throat dries out I start choking (which I also need a drink for 😂). I have some medication for it that looks a bit like weird fruit gums. I wouldn't be able to just hope there was water in the room, I'd have to bring something. Tbh water isn't the best thing for it either because it doesn't stimulate salvia. Talking makes it worse.

I don't drink any kind of coffee, but what would you lot expect me to do in the interview? Completely genuine question as I'm actually not sure!

I would expect you bring a bottle of water - or whatever is best for you - in your bag, in case you weren't offered a drink by your interviewee, which you almost always would be.

OP posts:

winkingeyealcoholsuggestion · 24/09/2026 11:31

Can I ask a question to the people who don't think a drink should be brought in?

I have xerostomia and have to have a drink with me at all times because if my throat dries out I start choking (which I also need a drink for 😂). I have some medication for it that looks a bit like weird fruit gums. I wouldn't be able to just hope there was water in the room, I'd have to bring something. Tbh water isn't the best thing for it either because it doesn't stimulate salvia. Talking makes it worse.

I don't drink any kind of coffee, but what would you lot expect me to do in the interview? Completely genuine question as I'm actually not sure!

Jamlighter · 24/09/2026 11:30

unprofessional.

WhatHappenedToYourFurnitureCuz · 24/09/2026 11:28

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:19

Again, crazy derailing of the thread because I asked someone to clarify what they meant rather than presuming I would understand.

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Do you think it's wrong to presume someone would understand something and judge them for not intuiting it?

Original poster

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:19

WhatHappenedToYourFurnitureCuz · 24/09/2026 11:17

Nor do I. Weird that you couldn't intuit it though, as you think intuition is such an important quality for a job candidate in your sector.

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Again, crazy derailing of the thread because I asked someone to clarify what they meant rather than presuming I would understand.

OP posts:

Butchyrestingface · 24/09/2026 11:18

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:14

Because I don't work in that sector?

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I don't and have never worked in that sector either, and I imagine this is the case for many other posters too. Yet I am aware of what is a a very common norm because I don't somnambulate my way through life.

Even if I wasn't aware however, I hope I wouldn't go around parading my ignorance on a thread when repeatedly advised of something that is widely known and accuse other posters of being 'coy'.

But you do.

Original poster

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:17

gannett · 24/09/2026 11:13

You can't discuss candidate behaviour without taking interviewer behaviour into account. They're symbiotic factors when it comes to what's considered appropriate in an interview.

I feel the root of the objection to this isn't actually the fussy concerns about condensation or ice cubes - it's the Gen Z attitude that a job interview is for them to assess you as much as it is for you to assess them. If they feel it appropriate to bring an iced coffee to an interview, then they will judge you if you're so starchy that you find it off-putting. I find their attitude commendable.

You being OK with tattoos and piercings is irrelevant given that many interviewers probably aren't.

Chewing gum? Don't care. I personally don't chew gum. I might well find it off-putting but only mildly. If the candidate was outstanding in relation to the actual job I couldn't possibly give a shit.

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They aren't going to judge me for finding it off-putting because they won't know I found it off-putting.

They probably just won't get hired or, at least, will have to be better than other candidates.

OP posts:

WhatHappenedToYourFurnitureCuz · 24/09/2026 11:17

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:14

Because I don't work in that sector?

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Nor do I. Weird that you couldn't intuit it though, as you think intuition is such an important quality for a job candidate in your sector.

Original poster

MasterBeth · 24/09/2026 11:14

WhatHappenedToYourFurnitureCuz · 24/09/2026 11:09

No, someone in the care sector would say "I'm a support worker" because that's the norm. Why don't you understand this business norm?

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Because I don't work in that sector?

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