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> Role playing is a cringe-inducing experience for many (most?) adults.

Depends a bit on the how: I don't think most find fire exercises, military exercises cringy - although they are a form of roleplay?

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A fire drill where we don't pretend it's real but do take the drill seriously, is fine.

A fire drill where the Health & Safety guy insists that we pretend it's real - yes, most people find this cringe-inducing. For more on this, see Dwight Schrute.

There's a bit of a difference between a fire drill in an office building from the perspective of a regular office employee - and a firefighter. In the latter case it would be expected to have people working as victims complete with mocha[1] injuries and feigned panic.

I don't see why simulating working a bug report need be cringe inducing... If everyone is just playing themselves.

[1] unintentional humor. I suppose there are some unfortunate people that have had to simulate helping someone with a mocha burn or similar injury. I meant "mock injury".

> There's a bit of a difference between a fire drill in an office building from the perspective of a regular office employee - and a firefighter

And which one of those do you think a tech support interview is closer to?

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