Agreeable enough

AGREEABLE 

“Miss Blackford is agreeable enough. I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal”. Letter to Cassandra Austen, 24 December 1798 

Do you know people who have adopted this philosophy? Civility is getting short shrift these days, and I fear that even though Jane Austen may have been making ‘light’ of the effort of social civility, that two hundred years later her wishes may have become reality.

It certainly takes more effort to be considerate and civil in our lives, but the outcome can make a profound difference for us in our personal, professional and public lives; – –  and also for the people we encounter. As a bookseller, I have experienced many different approaches to being agreeable, and I can tell you that a little common courtesy and kindness go a long way; – – making life so much more pleasant.  

So to all of you out there that think talking on your cell phone whilst others are attempting to help you is agreeable enough behaviour, please remember that Jane Austen was just kidding!