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Original poster

AIBU to think takeaway iced coffee at interviews is unprofessional?

567 replies

MasterBeth · 23/09/2026 19:45

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.

OP posts:
MuchAdoAboutSomething26 · 23/09/2026 19:46

Interviewer - their perogative
Interviewee - no way!

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 23/09/2026 19:46

I think it’s fine.

But all of my interviews are for support worker jobs where there are no hard rules or dress code.

Maybe office/smart dress jobs are different?

bababamama · 23/09/2026 19:46

Yes, but there’s a lot of things that are unprofessional yet candidates do now

Sweetsaremyfave · 23/09/2026 19:47

I wouldn’t no. I don’t need a drink every hour of the working day. i work in healthcare, aged 40

Crunchymum · 23/09/2026 19:47

Yes, very unprofessional.

Mid 40's, software / tech industry.

CrikeyMajikey · 23/09/2026 19:47

First post nails it ( as always).

MrsLFii · 23/09/2026 19:47

Eating and drinking anything, bar a glass of water, if needed, would be an absolute no from me.

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.

Sweetsaremyfave · 23/09/2026 19:48

And normally water is offered in an interview

Besidemyselfwithworry · 23/09/2026 19:48

Unprofessional
when we interview we always have water in the room we never have anything else

Original poster
MasterBeth · 23/09/2026 19:48

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 23/09/2026 19:46

I think it’s fine.

But all of my interviews are for support worker jobs where there are no hard rules or dress code.

Maybe office/smart dress jobs are different?

What's a support worker? Supporting what?

OP posts:
UninitendedShark · 23/09/2026 19:48

I recently had a couple of candidates watching TikTok with the sound on whilst waiting to be called in for one to one interviews after a group interview.

Hatty65 · 23/09/2026 19:48

Education.

Agree with the first poster.

Snackpocket · 23/09/2026 19:49

Wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.

champagneandgrapes · 23/09/2026 19:50

Absolutely not!

Dweetfidilove · 23/09/2026 19:50

The water offered by the interviewer is sufficient. I'm unlikely to die of thirst in that hour.

IcouldbutIdontwantto · 23/09/2026 19:50

I wouldn't take one in on either side of the table as I'd spend the whole time worrying about spilling it and making a mess but I wouldn't judge an interviewee for doing so. Is it just iced coffee there's a problem with?

Sparrowsandbudgies · 23/09/2026 19:50

Totally unprofessional. In any job interview really.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 23/09/2026 19:51

MasterBeth · 23/09/2026 19:48

What's a support worker? Supporting what?

Show quote history

Supporting other people.

bozo123 · 23/09/2026 19:51

The last interview I had was in a coffee shop (not to work in the coffee shop just it was a convenient location) so it would have been rude to ask for tap water!

EBearhug · 23/09/2026 19:52

Dweetfidilove · 23/09/2026 19:50

The water offered by the interviewer is sufficient. I'm unlikely to die of thirst in that hour.

Nothing like nerves to dry my throat out and start a coughing fit. But I would stick to water.

LuckyHazelFox · 23/09/2026 19:54

Couldn't even tell you what that drink is.

Original poster
MasterBeth · 23/09/2026 19:54

I work in the creative industries. In fact, we work with some of the biggest iced coffee brands in the world. Very casual work culture re: dress codes etc.

And if someone came for interview carrying an iced coffee I would think they completely lacked judgement. Why do they need to bring a drink in with them? Why not bring it a snack?

OP posts:
ThatLoudCat · 23/09/2026 19:55

LuckyHazelFox · 23/09/2026 19:54

Couldn't even tell you what that drink is.

You don't know what an iced coffee is? Surely you could take a guess?

FourEyesGood · 23/09/2026 19:55

Why specifically iced coffee? Is an iced coffee more unprofessional than a hot coffee? (If so, why?)
I wouldn’t take any drink in with me (as long as there was water on offer) but if I were the interviewer, I wouldn’t think badly of a candidate taking a coffee in with them.