You appear to have very little respect for your neighbours inspite of not having any real insight or experience with their work.

It would be impossible to come across as 'absolutely terrible software engineers' just from a conversation without prexisting prejudice.

Its not just Cisco but for a large majority of folks a job is a part of their life not their entire life and it doesn't automatically follow that they are not good or passionate about their jobs, and it's sad that anyone would choose to reach this conclusion just from speaking to folks.