<p>i think the general consensus is that you each pick up your halves of the bill, it isnt a date or anything</p>
<p>I always interview in a coffee shop and this has never really come up as an issue. Typically, one person arrives first and already has his/her drink before the second person arrives.</p>
<p>There's absolutely nothing wrong with ordering and sipping from a drink during the interview -- after all, you <em>are</em> in a coffee shop. It's part of the attempt to make things less formal. But certainly don't feel obligated to order anything if you don't want to. </p>
<p>Btw, of all the interviews I've given, I'd say about 75% order hot chocolate. :) The rest consists of lattes and tea. Very few order straight coffee.</p>
<p>You could always buy a bottled water--then it looks like you can "clear your throat" during your interview and buy yourself a couple seconds while thinking about the question, mid-question. It worked for me!</p>
<p>I'd get a drink before the interviewer arrives, if possible. Nothing hot in case it makes you sweat! Or if you're freezing, get a hot drink. Remain human at all times and don't forget to pause for a breath while you're speaking. That's a good time for a little sip as a previous poster mentioned. I wouldn't sit there with no drink in case of dry mouth. A coughing fit wouldn't go over too well.</p>
<p>If the interviewer arrives first, follow his/her lead when ordering, especially if he/she turns to you and asks what you'd like. In this case, offer to pay and get the wallet out quick, but if he/she says "No, I've got it" accept graciously and say "Are you sure?" while still holding the wallet. Then "Thank you." </p>
<p>I once had someone ask to meet with me for coffee to discuss his company's new products. We both ordered coffee, and I ordered a slice of cake (not he). He asked for two forks and proceeded to eat the cake! Once he touched it with his fork, I was "too full" and let him finish it. He then allowed me to pick up the tab! Needless to say, I didn't buy anything from his company that year and it cost the company about 10K in lost revenue. He lasted about 6 months with them. Just a little lesson in how important etiquette is!</p>
<p>Wow the adult world sounds so fickle. I had my interview in my local library. I kept thinking I knew my interviewer from somewhere and it turned out she often visits her old high school teachers and it just happens that she went to my high school.</p>
<p>just don't drink so much that you have to pee... you don't want to leave him sitting there for 10 minutes</p>
<p>^it takes you 10 minutes to pee?</p>
<p>I was early and bought myself tea before the interviewer got there- problem solved. This method worked very well. But, of course, this isn't always possible.</p>
<p>I've had two interviews in coffee shops. The first time, I was there before the interviewer arrived and I bought myself a hot chocolate--which turned out to be a good thing, because she was running late and I got to enjoy my hot chocolate :) The second time, we arrived at about the same time and never even went near the serving area--but that was a slightly different setup in that it was the coffee shop in the building she worked in, not a separate store or anything, if that makes sense.</p>
<p>I think I would go for not buying anything to drink. It is a little awkward to talk/drink or to not drink. Then again, it can be relaxing to clutch something and drink a comfort drink... :P</p>
<p>Okay, think about this, you are in a place of business the counts on people that come in and using their space buying something, seems kind of rude to go into a restaurant and sit at a table for an hour and not spend any money. So I think you should cough up $2-3 and buy something in an establishment</p>
<p>seems petty and mean not to, especially if you are using their table for a while, that someone else can't use to partake of the establishments offerings</p>
<p>If there was a coffee shop with students getting interviews that could take an hour and I walked in and saw all these people using tables and not buying anything, and I couldn't sit down with what I purshaced, I would probably go elsewhere</p>
<p>Think about the small business man (even starbucks has people working on tips and owners and managers trying to earn a living) and this person is not jsut there to give you a free convienent place to talk - they have rent, expenses and depend on customers buying things if they are using their facilities</p>
<p>this should be a none issue, BUY SOMETHING</p>
<p>You should buy something of course...as for who pays...just judge the situation</p>
<p>When I had an interview for MIT I met the interviewer at his office and he took me down to a coffee shop and just before we started he asked me what I would like...in short he was kind enough to pay for both of us</p>
<p>If you arrive first...get your own drink....if your interviewer already has one get your own....if your interviewer is sitting on an empty table..offer to go and get some coffee for both of you</p>
<p>Of course you may not want a drink....in that case just say so</p>
<p>My interviewers bought me drinks and it seemed rude to refuse their offers. On the hand, I'm sure it was simply obligation on their part. The best plan of action seems to be to get there early and buy your own drink and stake out the area. That way, you aren't "forcing" your interviewer, who most likely is decent enough to comply with social etiquette, to purchase things for you.</p>
<p>
I have to respectfully disagree (at least partly). The applicant should not feel pressured to purchase anything at all. After all, the alum picked the location, not the student. I agree that someone should buy something -- but the onus is on the interviewer, not the interviewee.</p>
<p>I find this whole topic a bit ironic. A main reason for meeting in a coffee shop -- as opposed to an office or other formal location -- is to present a less stressful environment. The applicant is nervous enough as it is; worrying about who pays just adds undue stress.</p>
<p>"I have to respectfully disagree (at least partly). The applicant should not feel pressured to purchase anything at all. After all, the alum picked the location, not the student. I agree that someone should buy something -- but the onus is on the interviewer, not the interviewee."</p>
<p>As an alum interviewer who interviews in coffee shops, I agree.</p>
<p>But at least someone should buy... and if the student is early, is it fair to take over a table from a buying customer.</p>
<p>THis is a business, and for the sake of a couple of dollars, just buy something. </p>
<p>I have friends who have a coffee shop and this is becoming an issue, people sitting at tables and not buying anything, so their paying customers don't have a place to sit</p>
<p>How cheap can someone be to not spend $1.50 on a cup of cocoa</p>
<p>As an interviewer, I think it would be classy to have something already, it shows respect for the business</p>
<p>"But at least someone should buy... and if the student is early, is it fair to take over a table from a buying customer."</p>
<p>I agree. At the same time, however, the onus is not on the student.</p>
<p>Also, it's very possible that the alum interviewer has already bought things at the shop or will do so after the student leaves. Consequently, the student shouldn't worry about using the table without purchasing anything.</p>
<p>I interview in bookstore coffee shops. Typically, I don't have anything to eat or drink when I'm interviewing, though I do offer to buy something for the students. I don't want to eat or drink while interviewing because it distracts me and I could also spill something.</p>
<p>I do, however, usually eat at the store before or after the interview, and I also buy lots of books there, often doing so after interviewing.</p>
<p>"Onus" makes it sound like a hardship, its not, its a less than $2.00</p>
<p>It is possible, but is it right to use a table and not buy anything?</p>
<p>Would you do that in a restaurant, I am sorry, we are not ordering anything, jsut want to take your table up for an hour....</p>
<p>The student is pretty much an adult, and can buy a bottle of water and sit it on the table</p>
<p>I am sorry, but this bugs me....my friends deal with this and it can hurt business so a hs student isn't too stressed</p>
<p>citygirlsmom -- At the risk of starting an unneccesary argument about this, neither Northstarmom nor I are advocating freeloading at the table. We all agree someone should pay -- we just feel that person should always be the interviewer. Worst case, the applicant arrives a little early and the table is occupied by a non-paying customer for a short time. Since at least one of the occupants will soon be a customer, I don't really see this as inconsiderate of the coffee shop owner or the other patrons. I understand the position your friends are put in, but I don't think this is the same as someone occupying the table for an hour and not paying. </p>
<p>Incidentally, I believe even a small hot chocolate at Starbucks is about $2.25. Multiply that by, say, five interviews and now the applicant is out 11 bucks. Not bad you might say, but I wouldn't want to assume anything about the student's financial situation. Some may come from truly struggling families and it's best to just treat everyone equally. And hey, some might just not like the idea of paying over two bucks for some milk and a squirt of chocolate syrup. ;)</p>
<p>Geez, you all are so uptight! :-D</p>
<p>My Yale interview was in a tiny coffee shop. I got there after she did, so I just sat down and we started talking. No offers of drinks, and I didn't order anything. It was much easier.</p>