Is it unprofessional for a job applicant to bring a cup of iced coffee into an interview? That's the subject of a fiery debate lighting up social media. While proponents say a candidate's beverage of choice can help showcase their "personality," detractors insist it's inappropriate, citing the condensation that can leave hands and desktops damp. LinkedIn member Benjamin Chipman lands somewhere in the middle. Whatever you do, he says, "don't shake it the entire time. That's distracting." And always, always, "take it ... when you leave.
You probably missed it because you’re not chronically online (jealous) but there’s a controversy about whether or not it’s unprofessional to bring an iced coffee to an interview.
I first made a post that just said “are we serious?” And then I saw 4 thought pieces about it and said “ughhh I have to give an actual opinion”.
➡️ So, as the GenZ social competency guy, here’s what’s up with the great iced coffee debate of 2026:
DON’T
❌ Shake it the entire time. That’s distracting.
❌ Slurp it down. Just don’t get to the bottom, save yourself an awkward moment.
❌ Hold it in your right hand so that it’s wet when you go to shake your interviewer’s hand.
❌ Put it on their desk (if IRL).
DO
✅ Remember to take it out of the room with you when you leave.
✅ Show up on time.
✅ Use it to buy yourself 30s to breathe and think about a question being asked.
And if it’s that big of an issue, that sounds like a culture issue to me at whatever company, so maybe you dodged a bullet there…