Have you recently noted a little warmer reception in local stores and businesses as well as in telephone conversations regarding service activities? Could it be that the state of the struggling economy is making employees more aware of how valuable their jobs are and causing them to treat customers with more civility?

This does not just involve the clerks and managers and office workers who deal with the public but the shoppers and general citizenry as well. Aware that workers are trying harder to do right and justify their jobs, those they are serving are somewhat more tolerant and friendly. They realize those on the other side of the counter or the other end of the phone line are doing the best they can with perhaps reduced facilities and resources. There is growing and genuine compassion for those who have lost paychecks and benefits and a realization that this trend may continue to expand.

The end result is more common courtesy and consideration for most of us who are trying to get ourselves and others through a critical time with the least amount of trouble and pain.

Civility. It’s a marvelous condition, one that heightens politeness and respect toward others. In recent years, there has been a shortening supply of those attitudes among us, and the hostility and resentment such behavior engenders has become depressing for many.

There is every evidence that our major financial hurdles eventually will be cleared and that the time will come when we are in better economic shape. Jobs could return, finances could be righted. Meanwhile, conditions are such that many people are treating others far better. What a bonus!

Now we can only hope that economic recovery won’t bring back the kind of negative inter-personal actions that too many of us have allowed ourselves and others to accept.

May the sprouting civility among us continue to grow with the status of the economy as it recovers. It’s a great opportunity if we’ll seize it.