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Well, but... Sareitha Sedai Send a noteboard - 22/09/2010 08:42:22 PM

I agree with you that "who is this" can sound challenging with the wrong tone of voice (or right tone, if that's what you're going for). I generally say it in a friendly tone so that the caller doesn't infer I am being rude. I just hate using phrases that might simply be more "gracious" as opposed to more efficient wordage to what I am asking.


I'm guessing that your task in answering the phone for your boss is not to do so in the most efficient way :P An answering machine or system would handle that. Being gracious to his callers is probably something he really wants from whoever is answering the phone for him, even if it takes more words :D

If you are from Betelgeuse, please have one of your Earth friends read what I've written before you respond. Or try concentrating harder.

"The trophy problem has become extreme."
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. - 22/09/2010 08:19:28 PM 1806 Views
I think "May I ask who's calling" is more polite. - 22/09/2010 08:26:55 PM 1220 Views
. - 22/09/2010 08:31:17 PM 1175 Views
Well, but... - 22/09/2010 08:42:22 PM 1268 Views
. - 22/09/2010 09:05:01 PM 1141 Views
you may not BE a receptionist... - 22/09/2010 09:20:09 PM 1280 Views
"And your name, so I can tell (the person you asked for)?" *NM* - 23/09/2010 12:34:18 AM 568 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 08:33:24 PM 1257 Views
. - 22/09/2010 08:38:45 PM 1113 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 08:55:34 PM 1425 Views
Well, the whole asking permission bit is part of being polite. *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:05:43 PM 539 Views
. - 22/09/2010 09:06:47 PM 1136 Views
Not so good for the phone answering, then. *NM* - 22/09/2010 11:29:34 PM 565 Views
Hmm... - 22/09/2010 08:59:23 PM 1278 Views
It's "who" *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:50:15 PM 564 Views
Quite true - 22/09/2010 10:07:46 PM 1256 Views
I say, "May I ask who's calling?" - 22/09/2010 09:00:10 PM 1206 Views
What do you do if they say "No" ? - 22/09/2010 09:43:42 PM 1175 Views
Than you say. ''Ok." They may have a reason for not disclosing their name. - 22/09/2010 09:49:56 PM 1190 Views
That reason is often that they are nutters. - 22/09/2010 10:29:19 PM 1284 Views
I hate it when people pull the "attorney-client privilege" thing. - 22/09/2010 11:31:01 PM 1093 Views
They are almost invariably nutters. - 23/09/2010 01:45:41 PM 1565 Views
Tools! - 22/09/2010 10:13:32 PM 1175 Views
I usually ask: "Who am I speaking with, again?" - 22/09/2010 09:12:29 PM 1269 Views
I'm of the opinion that when you are at work, you represent your employer - 22/09/2010 09:14:58 PM 1403 Views
^ this. *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:23:00 PM 541 Views
+1 *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:10:59 PM 636 Views
I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" - 22/09/2010 09:27:05 PM 1330 Views
Re: I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" - 22/09/2010 09:40:10 PM 1348 Views
well, i can sympathize with that a bit at least - 22/09/2010 10:00:34 PM 1489 Views
"Who should I say is calling?" *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:41:57 PM 558 Views
This. It's polite, and asks the question correctly. - 23/09/2010 02:05:01 AM 1167 Views
I usually say "Who may I say is calling?" but that works too... - 23/09/2010 01:59:03 PM 1556 Views
language games..... - 22/09/2010 09:42:35 PM 1201 Views
There would be apoplectic outcries if I answered the phone in such a way - 22/09/2010 09:45:56 PM 1386 Views
yeah.... i'm happy i get to be informal! - 23/09/2010 02:58:31 AM 1237 Views
Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:45:05 PM 1261 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:48:58 PM 1425 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:54:13 PM 1220 Views
it is not US standards. *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:03:47 PM 577 Views
good. *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:13:22 PM 624 Views
I generally don't because - 22/09/2010 10:43:38 PM 1134 Views
well fair enough... - 23/09/2010 08:07:08 AM 1208 Views
it doesn't matter if you HAVE to know their name. - 22/09/2010 10:07:18 PM 1286 Views
You are being silly and immature. - 22/09/2010 09:49:20 PM 1083 Views
Thanks for your input? - 22/09/2010 10:17:21 PM 1358 Views
I usually say, "B*tch, who you be!?" - 22/09/2010 10:13:57 PM 1188 Views
Do you pronounce that with a click sound? - 22/09/2010 10:15:29 PM 1246 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 10:29:33 PM 1048 Views
Perfect. *NM* - 23/09/2010 12:47:14 AM 621 Views
No you are *NM* - 23/09/2010 11:53:07 AM 625 Views
Who is this? always comes across as rude. *NM* - 22/09/2010 11:17:31 PM 552 Views
"Who may I say is calling, please?" is short and polite. - 23/09/2010 01:13:43 AM 1198 Views
when someone asks me "may I ask who's calling?"... - 23/09/2010 03:29:30 AM 1160 Views
that's because you're a tool - 23/09/2010 03:39:08 AM 1467 Views
because it amuses me *NM* - 23/09/2010 03:41:18 AM 565 Views
Huh - 15/07/2015 02:06:55 PM 756 Views

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