<p>Should I arrive early and order a drink myself? </p>
<p>That way, my interviewer will not have to offer to purchase a drink and I won't have to answer that question cause I think it may seem defensive to say no and somewhat awkward to sit there while the interviewer sips his coffee. </p>
<p>It also seems bad to say yes since the interviewer might just say it as a formality and not really want to buy you a $5 coffee.</p>
<p>In my interview for CMU yesterday, I bought a hot chocolate (I hate coffee, but the hot chocolate was put in a coffee container) before the interviewer came.</p>
<p>How about you don't buy anything at all...that is what I did for my previous two interviews. Just because it is in a cafe does not mean you have to drink something. If the interviewer offers to purchase you a drink it is perfectly acceptable to say you don't want anything, but thanks for the offer.</p>
<p>Yes - but the interviewer is not going to count you off one way or another. I mean, there may be some subconscious self note, but other than that, I think it has little impact.</p>
<p>I've only had one interview so far, but I came 10 minutes early and ordered a soy chai for myself to avoid any awkwardness. When my interviewer arrived she said she'd planned to buy me something and actually apologized for not being there to do so, but I felt much more comfortable paying for it myself. We talked for an hour and a half, and then she gave me a ride to my dad's office because it was on the way to her house... so I'd say it went pretty well. :p</p>
<p>Go early and order something for yourself (drink only) or not - it doesn't matter. But do not let them buy you anything - it is good manners for them to offer you something, but (at least in business) it is usally best to decine politely (drinks, snacks get in the way of business- you aren't there to eat/drink - you are there for an interview.) A simple, "No thankyou, I had something earlier." is enough.</p>
<p>i think it is rude to go into an establishment, a cafe, and not order ANYTHING, talk about cheap...take a table for 1/2 an hour or more and take away a table from a paying costumer...how cheap can you be? I am serious about this...my friends own a cafe, and you are taking away business by doing that</p>
<p>Yes, I do feel as if it is awkward to be in a place like Starbucks and not have something to drink at least. But I don't see how sitting at a table in Starbucks is going to deter other customers.. except maybe from taking a seat, but this is no restaurant. Under that condition, I would certainly not choose to just sit there talking without having bought something.</p>
<p>In my mind, I feel as if having to actually purchase something is a time-waster, especially if I'm not thirsty or lines are long (which I expect to be the case in a Starbucks at afterschool hours). And the hassle to get there early to buy things ahead of time could easily offset an interviewer's plans. "I'll be there early to make sure there's a spot available for us. I'll be wearing.. oh, a bright orange scarf so you can make me out in the crowd."</p>
<p>wel, if someone is lookig for a table, and can't because someone is sitting there holding the table for 1/2 and not ordering anything...gee....</p>
<p>and I guess some just don't think much beyond themselves, and the lines, please a couple of minutes</p>
<p>just suck it up and order something, jeesh....</p>
<p>if it is a budget thing, fine, but if you can afford $1.50 get something</p>
<p>I think it is kind of rude to use a food establishment and not buy the product</p>
<p>when you are in business, you will often have to be at a meeting place not of your choice, eating food not your favorite, etc, it is called growing up</p>