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
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 
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."
"The trophy problem has become extreme."
.
- 22/09/2010 08:19:28 PM
1690 Views
I think "May I ask who's calling" is more polite.
- 22/09/2010 08:26:55 PM
1113 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this?
- 22/09/2010 08:33:24 PM
1145 Views
.
- 22/09/2010 08:38:45 PM
1010 Views
Well, the whole asking permission bit is part of being polite.
*NM*
- 22/09/2010 09:05:43 PM
488 Views
*NM*
- 22/09/2010 09:05:43 PM
488 Views
I say, "May I ask who's calling?"
- 22/09/2010 09:00:10 PM
1111 Views
What do you do if they say "No" ?
- 22/09/2010 09:43:42 PM
1068 Views
Than you say. ''Ok." They may have a reason for not disclosing their name.
- 22/09/2010 09:49:56 PM
1086 Views
That reason is often that they are nutters.
- 22/09/2010 10:29:19 PM
1182 Views
I hate it when people pull the "attorney-client privilege" thing.
- 22/09/2010 11:31:01 PM
986 Views
Ah, you mean because they want to sell my boss storm windows or vinyl siding. *NM*
- 22/09/2010 10:30:15 PM
530 Views
I'm of the opinion that when you are at work, you represent your employer
- 22/09/2010 09:14:58 PM
1300 Views
Re: I'm of the opinion that when you are at work, you represent your employer
- 22/09/2010 09:42:29 PM
1255 Views
I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?"
- 22/09/2010 09:27:05 PM
1221 Views
Re: I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?"
- 22/09/2010 09:40:10 PM
1231 Views
language games.....
- 22/09/2010 09:42:35 PM
1107 Views
There would be apoplectic outcries if I answered the phone in such a way
- 22/09/2010 09:45:56 PM
1276 Views
Who is this? is unprofessional
- 22/09/2010 09:45:05 PM
1156 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional
- 22/09/2010 09:48:58 PM
1313 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional
- 22/09/2010 09:54:13 PM
1115 Views
You don’t have to transfer for them if they refuse but you should still ask politely
- 22/09/2010 10:31:55 PM
1196 Views
I usually say, "B*tch, who you be!?"
- 22/09/2010 10:13:57 PM
1094 Views
And I be all, like, sobbing and crying cause you're a rude jerk. And then you laugh at me some more
- 22/09/2010 10:33:38 PM
1091 Views
Please stop splitting hairs. You're way is simply inccorrect. You cannot justify the rudeness away.
- 22/09/2010 10:49:05 PM
1245 Views
when someone asks me "may I ask who's calling?"...
- 23/09/2010 03:29:30 AM
1052 Views
It's quite simple, really. Do you like getting paid? Then answer the phone the way your boss wants *NM*
- 24/09/2010 03:46:24 AM
553 Views

*NM*