Drink vs coffee vs meal with vp/future boss?

Hi everyone, I'm a senior in college and will be a ft analyst after my graduation. My future boss/ VP at the bank emailed me and told me to reach out to him this week "to get coffee or grab a drink" in person. I obviously want to go to a bar instead of a cafe, but would that look unprofessional? Should I ask him for coffee or even a meal instead? FYI I only talked to him a couple of times on zoom for networking but never worked with him or met him in person. Would love to hear your opinion thanks!

21 Comments
 

Just grab a drink if you want to grab a drink.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

How would it be unprofessional? You’re going to be working with him soon, might as well get to know him a little over a drink. Plus he said “coffee or a drink” I think you’re overthinking it. 

 

Look - you want to make a good impression, but you want to have some drinks too. Just be professional - keep good eye contact and be willing to listen to all his stories. If he tells you stories the whole night, he will probably take a liking to you. Don’t get too wasted.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
Smoke Frog

I would suggest telling him you'd rather get a steak diner, since drinks is so for punks, and you ain't no punk.

A steak diner is pretty cheap - whatchu talking about - Denny’s?

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
Most Helpful

He says drinks or coffee, but really would prefer drinks. He probably said coffee in case you don’t drink.

 

If you’re a hot girl, get coffee, just to avoid the ‘implication’

 

Very normal unless I'm weird. I did more coffee chats vs. getting drinks when I was networking. Was still doing more coffee vs. drinks when people reached out to me for chats post college. 

Not than anyone asked....

For those networking and reaching out, I would advise you to suggest earlier times for networking meetings since they are less likely to be blow up. I find that plans after 4pm are always at risk compared to 11am. Just my experience.   

 

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