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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:
Original poster
MasterBeth · 23/09/2026 19:55

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 23/09/2026 19:51

Supporting other people.

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Supporting other people with what? Why so coy?

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

Personally, I don't see the big deal. I don't like pointless rules though.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 23/09/2026 19:56

I haven't been to an interview for quite sometime but I would always take in a small tray with a pot of tea, milk and sugar, and two cups, with a small selection of Rover biscuits.

(Actually, maybe that's why I have had an interview lately. Perhaps I should have been taking coffee or..., or Bubble Tea - whatever the fork that is.) 🤔

Honeypickle · 23/09/2026 19:56

God no. What’s next, bringing in a packed lunch if the interview falls between 12-2??

Backedoffhackedoff · 23/09/2026 19:56

I don’t think it’s very important- my priority is the right person for the role who can add value, not little things like that.

5128gap · 23/09/2026 19:57

I think its professionally neutral, given it has no impact on the candidates ability to demonstrate their suitability for the role. It may be considered a breach of etiquette given we operate within a set of arbitrary rules about what is considered appropriate. But that's not the same as unprofessionalism.

LuckyHazelFox · 23/09/2026 19:57

ThatLoudCat · 23/09/2026 19:55

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

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Well if its a cold coffee, I don't see the problem, unless I'm being thick.

Askandyforcompo · 23/09/2026 19:58

I was once interviewing for a very senior civil service role and a woman with the most enormous breasts wore a satin shirt with no bra. I thought it was a very odd choice and made me question her judgement. The interview was completely competency based so it made no difference the outcome.

Coffee yes I would also judge.

Original poster
MasterBeth · 23/09/2026 19:59

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.

Iced coffee because apparently that was the drink first mentioned on TikTok regarding this question.

Is it more unprofessional than taking in a hot coffee to an interview? I think marginally, yes, because it's a bit infantile/there is a straw involved etc.

Both are ridiculous.

OP posts:
ColdAsAWitches · 23/09/2026 19:59

I'm a manager and regularly interview. I don't think I'd even notice if someone brought in a coffee. It would have no bearing in whether they can do the job, so why would it matter?

seahorsessky · 23/09/2026 19:59

Don't some contain allergens which would be banned in some workplaces?

Arlanymor · 23/09/2026 19:59

I usually take a picnic blanket with a selection of picky bits (know how much MN loves that term) and a bottle of chilled Picpoul de Pinet. I’ve aced every interview I’ve ever had.

LuckyHazelFox · 23/09/2026 20:00

I was being interviewed where both interviewers brought a coffee in and didn't ask if I wanted anything. That should have set the scene for what cunts they were to work for.

Backedoffhackedoff · 23/09/2026 20:00

seahorsessky · 23/09/2026 19:59

Don't some contain allergens which would be banned in some workplaces?

😂 are you taking the piss? What workplaces do you know where you can’t take in coffee?!

LuckyHazelFox · 23/09/2026 20:00

Arlanymor · 23/09/2026 19:59

I usually take a picnic blanket with a selection of picky bits (know how much MN loves that term) and a bottle of chilled Picpoul de Pinet. I’ve aced every interview I’ve ever had.

😆 🤣

Original poster
MasterBeth · 23/09/2026 20:00

5128gap · 23/09/2026 19:57

I think its professionally neutral, given it has no impact on the candidates ability to demonstrate their suitability for the role. It may be considered a breach of etiquette given we operate within a set of arbitrary rules about what is considered appropriate. But that's not the same as unprofessionalism.

You don't think disobeying the rules of etiquette is inherently unprofessional?

OP posts:
LuckyHazelFox · 23/09/2026 20:01

MasterBeth · 23/09/2026 19:59

Iced coffee because apparently that was the drink first mentioned on TikTok regarding this question.

Is it more unprofessional than taking in a hot coffee to an interview? I think marginally, yes, because it's a bit infantile/there is a straw involved etc.

Both are ridiculous.

Edited
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Well the straw does somewhat change things with the sucking sound etc!

Original poster
MasterBeth · 23/09/2026 20:01

ColdAsAWitches · 23/09/2026 19:59

I'm a manager and regularly interview. I don't think I'd even notice if someone brought in a coffee. It would have no bearing in whether they can do the job, so why would it matter?

Would it matter if they were eating a bag of Haribo or a Big Mac?

OP posts:
2manyEnergyDrinks · 23/09/2026 20:01

No I think regardless of what job it is extremely unprofessional! (Early 30’s)

tallyoh · 23/09/2026 20:02

I’m interested in why the fact it’s an iced coffee makes a difference, even though I think maybe it does.

It’s certainly not something I would do, but I work in the creative industries in a fairly senior role, and if I was interviewing someone in person (rare these days), I’d offer to buy them a coffee from our in house coffee shop first. If they said they already had one - especially if it was in their own keep cup - I wouldn’t bat an eyelid.
But maybe there’s something about iced coffee, drank through a straw in a plastic cup like a milkshake that makes it feel particularly casual?

I don’t think that would be enough to stop me hiring someone, but I suspect that anyone who did casually sip on an iced coffee through an interview might give off other red flags anyway. It does smack a bit of arrogance.

Backedoffhackedoff · 23/09/2026 20:02

MasterBeth · 23/09/2026 20:00

You don't think disobeying the rules of etiquette is inherently unprofessional?

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im Really struggling to think of a role where it would make any difference to the decision to hire the right person unless it’s the sort of role anyone could do

SapphireSteel28 · 23/09/2026 20:03

Teaching-no way for interviewer or interviewee.

RatsCatsandPuppies · 23/09/2026 20:03

MuchAdoAboutSomething26 · 23/09/2026 19:46

Interviewer - their perogative
Interviewee - no way!

Agree with this!

OrchardOwl · 23/09/2026 20:03

Wouldn’t do it myself as an interviewee. As an interviewer I wouldn’t at all hold it against a candidate I was interviewing. In fact I’d probably admire them for taking a stand against old fashioned etiquette rules.

Somethinggg · 23/09/2026 20:03

I don't personally give a shit. It's more that if someone brought an iced coffee into a job interview, that's a sufficiently unusual thing to do that it might make me wonder how many other workplace norms they were unaware of, and them not observing one of those might actually bother me.