What Do You Say After You Say Hello?

In this foundational text on Transactional Analysis, Eric Berne argues that early childhood experiences dictate a subconscious life plan known as a script. He explains how individuals follow pre-determined narratives—such as the "Winner," "Non-winner," or "Loser"—based on injunctions and attributions received from parents before the age of six. Berne breaks down human interaction into three ego states: Parent, Adult, and Child. By analyzing these transactions and the psychological games people play, he demonstrates how individuals unknowingly fulfill tragic or mundane destinies established in their nursery years.

This book is intended for clinicians and students of behavioral psychology interested in the mechanics of human destiny and personality structure. Readers use these frameworks to identify self-sabotaging patterns and the hidden motives behind their social interactions. The text provides the tools to recognize one's own internal script and the specific verbal cues that trigger repetitive behaviors. Ultimately, the reader learns how to move toward autonomy by updating their childhood programming to reflect their current reality.