I think it entirely depends on the market you live in. If I was wanting to apply for a job at a local company in a midwestern college town, dropping by in perso

I think it entirely depends on the market you live in. If I was wanting to apply for a job at a local company in a midwestern college town, dropping by in person might be seen as folksy and community oriented. Dropping in to the 29th floor of a random building in Manhattan to drop off a resume might be taken as you described however. The world is more complicated than always/never.