Transactional Communication Essay

Name

21 May 2008

Professor 's name

Course

Conversations

They are talking simultaneously , each seeming to carry on a conversation with themselves more so than with each other . She is talking fast , looking at the air , her hand gestures extravagant and facial expressions flamboyant . He is leaned back , sunken into the chair comfortably , talking lowly , nodding his head in agreement at regular intervals , his voice running alongside hers . She is excited . He looks amused

They sit close to each other in the corner of the cafy . Sounds from

br conversations hum in the air around them , the clinking and bustling of a busy cafy a background to this conversation . Despite the multidimensional setting - the music playing in the speakers above , the couple to their left discussing baby names , the loud ring of the nearby telephone and the even louder server who answered it - these two talk as if they were alone at home , as if of the loudness existed . They are celebrating . Crumbled remains of a chocolate fudge cake occupy the table space they share , and two large mugs of coffee sit pushed to the side ready to be taken away

This is where a server makes it big or loses out completely on a tip Time is a factor in everything , and as a server you have to be willing to divide your time evenly among your tables so that you don 't fall in the weeds later . If you see one of your tables finished with their plates and cups , it 's your job to pick it up , and fast . It 's an opportunity to offer them anything else , and one more chance to make an impression , to make them like you . They 've finished eating , and more importantly , she 's just eaten chocolate cake

So I bustle over and say , Hey folks , can I get this out of your way ' Smiling , of course . You have to smile

She looks up at me , blinking , cross , brow furrowed . He moves forward sitting up aggressively , brow furrowing , What , man

Can I get this out of your way ' I ask , cautiously , not sure what just happened here . I even lean in a little , my hands crossed behind my back so I look more servant-ly , less threatening

The mood cracks . She laughs . He smiles goofily in relief . He shakes his head . She puts her hand over her eyes . We thought you said something else ' they both seem to say at the same time

When they leave , I find my tip - a measly 3 - under the saltshaker Apparently , noise is a factor , too . The external part of it , all those people 's voices charging the air around us , music swirling in between conversation , me asking to clear the plates they thought I was hitting on her . Maybe I was smiling too much

But he must have that internal part of it , the voices in his head that tell him she 's cheating on him with every guy that sees her . Why is that , I wonder ? They were having such a nice conversation , and then I got there , and everything changed . What were they talking about ? Being a server is about the closest thing you can be to a fly on the wall . They almost ignore you completely , until you buzz around them and ask if it 's okay to pick up their plates . Next time , I shouldn 't say anything , I should just pick it up Last name PAGE 1 ...