Qwilleran has a willingness to listen, which is described as part curiosity and part professional interest. He also has a strong desire to investigate things that are not his business and could endanger him, and these investigations make up the plot of the various books. He gets on well with most people, but generally prefers to avoid children. Although he is a former alcoholic, he appears to have his condition well in hand, to the point that he can keep alcohol at home to serve to the people he entertains. Due to the disastrous nature of his former marriage, he has no inclination to remarry, despite his strong feelings for Polly Duncan. Despite his immense inherited fortune, he is far from extravagant, and uses the vast majority of his money for philanthropy or civic projects.