Is iced coffee unprofessional?
Photo Courtesy of JimmyStardust- Wikimedia Commons
Last week, I was sitting in SOCL-220 Inequality, Class, and Poverty, taught by Dr. Reece Torres. He walked into the room and started discussing a topic that had been circulating his for you page on TikTok: is bringing an iced coffee to an interview considered unprofessional?
At first, I was a bit confused. I had never given any thought to iced coffee being perceived as anything but a type of coffee. However, once everyone in the class started to share their opinions and arguments, it became clearer as to why this is being debated.
As a communication major, I understand that the way a person presents themselves is a form of communication. Things like facial expressions, body language, speech, and the way you dress all send a message to whomever you are communicating with. Naturally, the type of beverage someone brings into an interview can absolutely be added to the list of things being perceived. Whether it is a reusable water bottle, an energy drink, or an iced coffee, they all send different messages to an employer.
In my opinion, a formal interview process is not only a chance for employers to learn more about your skill set. It is also an opportunity to see if your personality and work ethic will fit nicely with the company's values and current employees. Therefore, the way you present yourself is important during the interview process.
Webster’s dictionary defines unprofessional as “not exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, or generally businesslike manner in the workplace.” I can see how bringing in an iced coffee can be perceived as discourteous because plastic cups tend to leave condensation rings on surfaces. I can also get behind seeing iced coffee at an interview as unprofessional if the person were to obnoxiously slurp through the straw. Another reason I could see it as being improper is if you show up to the interview a couple of minutes late. In this scenario, the coffee in your hand may signal that you lack time management skills.
On the other side of the debate, it can be argued that employers judging a candidate for the beverage they bring—alcoholic beverages excluded—into an interview could be grounds for discrimination. In my opinion, drinks like iced coffee are perceived by society as something only girls would consume. If you were to present yourself in the most professional manner and were denied the position because you brought in an iced coffee, that feels sexist to me.
I would also love to know if the brand of coffee that is labeled on the cup has any factor into this whole debate. If someone has an iced coffee from a local cafe, that might send a different message to employers than bringing in an iced coffee from McDonald’s. An employer could infer that someone bringing in an iced coffee from a local cafe means the candidate supports small businesses.
At the end of the day, I feel it really depends on the company to deem it appropriate if their interviewee brings in an iced coffee. If you are interviewing to become a barista, bringing in an iced coffee feels fitting. However, interviewing for a corporate position where you must wear business formal attire may mean that bringing in an iced coffee would be perceived as unprofessional.
A great way to solve this problem? Every employer should provide water while they are hiring and interviewing potential candidates. It should not matter the level of the position you are applying for, people deserve to have water provided for them.