A coffee spill that nearly ruined an interview

It was one of those interviews in Delhi after my college days for which I had gone all the way from Thiruvananthapuram. It was for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) granted by the University Grants Commission, a prestigious scholarship that opens doors to research careers. That year, 1987, was the first year when JRF was being offered for research in journalism too. Until then, it was only for mass communication.

On the important day, just as anyone would do, I spent quite some time deciding on the outfit for the interview. Finally, I chose a formal shirt and trousers and set out. On the way to the venue, I met a friend; he was a friend of my host in Delhi. He was on his two-wheeler.

Through his friend, he had learned that I was in town for an interview. But we didn't expect to run into each other. He asked me where I was headed. I told him. It turned out that he too was going in the same direction. When I told him about the timing of the interview, he came up with the idea of having some tea or coffee on the way.

I said it was fine. That would allow us time to talk and catch up. And it would sort of take my focus away from the interview too. We settled down at a corner table.

TEA OR COFFEE

Then came the usual question: tea or coffee? I thought for a moment. Coffee isn't quite as popular in the north. Usually, it's only instant coffee (Nescafe or Bru) that's available and that tastes the same anywhere in India.

But the flavour of tea in north India is quite different from what we get in south India. So, I chose tea. But my friend talked me out of that idea, saying that the tea in that particular place wasn't good at all, and that they had multiple varieties of coffee.

I was surprised that they had (my favourite) 'filter coffee' too, though it wasn't specifically a south Indian restaurant. Sipping our drinks, we chatted away.

THE CRISIS

While talking, something distracted me, and I spilled some coffee on my shirt. More than the shirt, my thoughts immediately turned to how I would now go for the interview!

We quickly thought about what could be done. There was just about an hour for me to present myself for the interview. Either buy a new shirt, go home and change, or borrow a shirt from my friend.

We abruptly ended our restaurant rendezvous and quickly looked around to see if there was a store where I could buy a new shirt. No, none. Instead of wasting more time, I went to my friend's place, which was closer to that spot than where I was staying. Luckily, there was one shirt that fitted and suited me. I quickly changed and went for the interview.

THE OUTCOME

What happened to the interview? I qualified for JRF. But it's a different matter that I picked my first job (in Bhopal in 1987) when that came my way rather than go for research, which remains an incomplete entry in my educational qualifications on my résumé! I know it's never too late to start anything. But I don't have the energy for something which I should have done nearly 40 years ago!

COFFEE PREFERENCES 

Mostly, I prefer coffee to tea. That's because the taste of tea varies widely, unlike that of coffee. So, when I'm not sure and I don't want to take the risk, I choose coffee. The taste of filter coffee gives me a unique sort of contentment.

I don't like strong coffee. It tastes bitter for me. I prefer it slightly light. That has prompted some of my friends to comment: "If you drink coffee, you should drink it strong. What you drink is not coffee!" 

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My usual choice is "filter coffee" (also called drip coffee or brewed coffee) if that's available. Otherwise, instant coffee. Or, the one that is made by adding coffee power to boiling water and milk.

I'm not a regular visitor to upmarket, specialty coffee shops like Starbucks, Third Wave, Barista or Café Coffee Day. I'm very happy with the local eateries that are commonly called "Darshinis" or "Udupi restaurants" in Bengaluru.

I'm not a compulsive coffee drinker either. I have a cup early in the morning, just before going out for my walk, then after breakfast, and then in the evening before I go for my walk. Very rarely, if I feel like it, I have one sometime in between. I'm not in the habit of having a cuppa whilst working, nor is it my go-to when I'm stressed.

Even though I don’t down cups and cups of coffee a day, the few that I have bring in a sense of comfort and familiarity. They help me settle into the day’s routine, and keep me going.