I've never had an interview like this. Get out of SV if you don't want to play those games.

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.