One of the meanings of "insist" is "persist in (doing something)". That's presumably the meaning intended by grandparent.
A common usage for "insisted" (in American English, at least) is "did so with no apparent consideration of the effect," in a generally passive-aggressive context.
"He insisted on chewing with his mouth open, I mean, ew. Gross."
The offender is generally expected to read non-verbal, and often non-expressed, communication of the offended's opinion.
Maybe that in itself was a test to see of people had personality or just put up with anything without much protest.
If so, seems like kind of a BS test to me. Job interviews are stressful enough without that kind of social experiment nonsense. There are a set of expected behaviors in an interview that don't necessarily reflect how a person would act in day to day life.
True. But all kinds of people play little power games. They know you probably won't say anything, unless you don't care and call out the emperor. Tough to say though, but someone selfaware should know this projects some kind of power 'play' and would avoid that manner.
Your suggestion that this is my fault for not objecting to the way my interviewer chose to conduct themselves in a professional setting is a joke. You must either work for them or be the person who was crass enough to behave like that. As another commenter said, that is a correct use of the word "insist." Look it up.
There is no talk of blame or fault. All the poster is doing is presenting an opportunity that you could have taken, and hopefully you may attempt if a future situation occurs, that could have improved your experience. People cannot see inside your head and that is why we communicate
The person conducting an interview is in a position of power. The interviewee shouldn't have to ask him to stop behaving inappropriately. It's the same reason prison guards get arrested for consensual sex with inmates.
Did you suggest that you would feel more comfortable if they sat differently?
This doesn't make any difference for me personally but I understand why some people would prefer that the person not sit like that. However, if you did not express an objection with regards to how that made you feel, I don't think "insisted" is a fair choice of words there.