The interview was scheduled for 10:00 AM. The candidate strolled in at 10:35.
Before HR could mention punctuality, he said:
“I was late on purpose—originally just five minutes, but traffic added thirty more.”
“I wanted to test if your company embraces flexibility and diversity.”
HR almost laughed but politely replied:
“We’re flexible—with people, not with traffic excuses.”
Needless to say, he didn’t make it to the next round—not because of culture mismatch, but because he reverse-gaslit the recruiter.
