Except, plenty of wannabe IT departments that want to “hire then best of breed” and start copycatting/aping these gestures. It’s a global Cargo Cult

This was in a mid-sized town. The main guy who was hazing was only mid-level talented, and was very insecure about it. On the other side of the table, I've never seen someone who I considered a high-level talent act that way. They may have tough questions but they certainly aren't pricks about it.

This was a long time ago, I get work through my network now, interviews consist of going to lunch and shooting the shit.