I can't imagine a universe where a well-qualified senior developer would be so obsessed with such a pedantic thing. To call the code unreadable because it needs

I can't imagine a universe where a well-qualified senior developer would be so obsessed with such a pedantic thing. To call the code unreadable because it needs a small refactor... that interviewer was clearly letting their emotions guide their thought process. Advise why to use the namespace, hear what the interviewee has to say, tie off the discussion, and move on. "Rockstars" who can't teach do long-term damage to engineering culture.