The water is wide, I can't cross over

PGS has got me thinking about my APA interviews. One thing that sticks out for me is how similar they all were. Not that some didn't go better or worse, but that the activity of 'being interviewed' was remarkably the same from one to the next. They all had their introductions, the quick small talk, the "so tell us about your research" question, the follow-ups, the (when I was lucky) engaging conversation, the talk about courses I would teach, the "we're running out of time" last question, the 'good-byes' and the handshakes.

All that similarity makes me focus on the little differences, especially the little differences that aren't at all relevant to my job prospects. For example, it seemed like each of my interviewers offered me water (or didn't) in a different way.

Some offered me water when we first sat down. Some didn't offer anything at all. One group offered water half-way into the interview. Some offered bottled water, some a pre-poured glass, and another offered an empty glass with a pitcher. Even though I used to work as a waiter, I didn't touch that damn thing. In one interview, I got offered a pre-poured glass of water with a plastic cover on the top (like the sort that room service would send up). In another interview, I sat down to see a glass of water at the center of the table, but nearer to me than to anyone else. While I assumed it was mine, no one offered it to me until I got up to leave. It felt like a party favor (or maybe a consolation prize).

The best was the place that had a fruit and dessert plate. I had some berries, but I left the pastries (and their crumbs) on the damn plate.

So, does anyone else have something professionally-irrelevant to share about their APA interview experiences? I'd love to hear from someone who interviewed in the "Austin Powers Magic Suite" at the Pier V hotel. What was that room like?