File > Options > Mail > Send Messages > “Delete meeting requests and notifications from Inbox after responding” > Uncheck

But they arguably chose the worst default, the option to change this is so buried in 100s of other settings it might as well not exist for most users.

And by the way this option is not available in “New Outlook” 🙄

I get what you’re saying. To me, this reads like someone who takes pride in forming assumptions (and biases) about a team before speaking to any of its members. A fun game for them, perhaps, but less fun for the folks they are trying to pigeonhole.

I guess there’s a fine line between collecting information to have a productive, data-driven conversation, and doing it to avoid having a conversation entirely.

Also seems like they’re more interested in connecting with the boss than the developers themselves, which is probably something you need to do as a contractor, but yeah, it does alienate other developers.