The purpose of this paper is to unearth the bi-directional and stratified nature of service encounter interactions. Drawing on a detailed empirical study of service demeanour in mobility services, seen from a customer perspective, we outline a classification of 6 overarching demeanour practices, 20 sub-activities, and interactional sequences, explaining how value co-formation is realized. We suggest that value derives from bi-directional activities mutually combined in congruent ways, avoiding counterproductive interactions.