Interactions

Sunday November 9th, a little after 9 am. 5 tables are scattered through the restaurant, munching on a combination of tostadas and pancakes; a mix I find particularly displeasing. There is a chill outdoors, but a more evident chill inside. Exchanges between employees are short and hostile, tension is definitely in the air. I wonder what's got everyone on edge today. However, customers seem a little more happy. Two pairs of couples run into each other and seem to brighten their days. They talk  and laugh loudly. And although it is rather annoying for people attempting to walk through the crowd, the couples do not seem bothered by it.

With both good moods and bad moods encompassing the environment, I notice the particular interactions between individuals. Friends in large groups joke and mess around with each other, and can loosely throw insults at one another. College students innocently flirt and cannot keep their hands off each other. It's different though, with strangers such as waiters and waitresses. A waiter attempts to keep the interaction with the guests light and humorous. He makes connections with football, agreeing and disagreeing with patrons about the better teams. He pushes the boundary with his jokes that could be taken offensive, but surprisingly few customers do.

An unexpected visit from the boss seems to arouse some nerves from employees. Standing around turned into a quick hustle. Within minutes of her arrival, a dish is broken in the kitchen. She gives a look of dismay as a cook attempts to explain himself. She scoffs and makes a quick remark proceeding to walk off in disgust.  I suppose the bad vibes have latched onto her mood as well. I find it interesting how superiors can so easily act in a hostile way toward their staff.

Any who, customers continue their meals munching and slurping away. A group sits three tables down the row, but close enough their snippets of their conversation is audible. Two young girls color on pages as they converse over crayons and pictures. Four adults -perhaps parents?- talk amongst each other. They sip Mexican beers and talk about some things that are a bit more "mature" Frankly, something that should not be said in the presence of young children. But now that I think of it, I doubt people eating around them would want to hear about vulgarities either.

The early afternoon hits, and so has the lunchtime rush. The tables are all filled, but there is not a lot of action between customers. I've noticed the general warmth and joy between friends and family as well as the opposite tension from the owner and the workers, but between customers and employees?
It takes a few occurrences, but I am able to grasp a general trend. Unlike other interactions, this one proves to be both friendly and rude, depending on the people themselves. Some patrons are snobbish - a man snap his fingers at his waitress, a woman shakes her glass in the air. On the contrary, other patrons return each response with a thank you, seemingly grateful for the service they are receiving.

It's an interesting notion to me, how people react to service. On one side, they treat them as servants, expected of commanding their every wish while others are thankful for the help. Perhaps i might look into this sort of interaction within the next week's observations.