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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 1694 Views
I think "May I ask who's calling" is more polite. - 22/09/2010 08:26:55 PM 1117 Views
. - 22/09/2010 08:31:17 PM 1079 Views
Well, but... - 22/09/2010 08:42:22 PM 1170 Views
. - 22/09/2010 09:05:01 PM 1037 Views
you may not BE a receptionist... - 22/09/2010 09:20:09 PM 1184 Views
"And your name, so I can tell (the person you asked for)?" *NM* - 23/09/2010 12:34:18 AM 516 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 08:33:24 PM 1150 Views
. - 22/09/2010 08:38:45 PM 1016 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 08:55:34 PM 1330 Views
Well, the whole asking permission bit is part of being polite. *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:05:43 PM 490 Views
. - 22/09/2010 09:06:47 PM 1032 Views
Not so good for the phone answering, then. *NM* - 22/09/2010 11:29:34 PM 521 Views
Hmm... - 22/09/2010 08:59:23 PM 1189 Views
It's "who" *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:50:15 PM 514 Views
Quite true - 22/09/2010 10:07:46 PM 1145 Views
I say, "May I ask who's calling?" - 22/09/2010 09:00:10 PM 1113 Views
What do you do if they say "No" ? - 22/09/2010 09:43:42 PM 1072 Views
Than you say. ''Ok." They may have a reason for not disclosing their name. - 22/09/2010 09:49:56 PM 1091 Views
That reason is often that they are nutters. - 22/09/2010 10:29:19 PM 1185 Views
I hate it when people pull the "attorney-client privilege" thing. - 22/09/2010 11:31:01 PM 989 Views
They are almost invariably nutters. - 23/09/2010 01:45:41 PM 1460 Views
Tools! - 22/09/2010 10:13:32 PM 1065 Views
I usually ask: "Who am I speaking with, again?" - 22/09/2010 09:12:29 PM 1163 Views
I'm of the opinion that when you are at work, you represent your employer - 22/09/2010 09:14:58 PM 1304 Views
^ this. *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:23:00 PM 492 Views
+1 *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:10:59 PM 587 Views
I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" - 22/09/2010 09:27:05 PM 1229 Views
Re: I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" - 22/09/2010 09:40:10 PM 1236 Views
well, i can sympathize with that a bit at least - 22/09/2010 10:00:34 PM 1378 Views
"Who should I say is calling?" *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:41:57 PM 506 Views
This. It's polite, and asks the question correctly. - 23/09/2010 02:05:01 AM 1058 Views
I usually say "Who may I say is calling?" but that works too... - 23/09/2010 01:59:03 PM 1449 Views
language games..... - 22/09/2010 09:42:35 PM 1112 Views
There would be apoplectic outcries if I answered the phone in such a way - 22/09/2010 09:45:56 PM 1280 Views
yeah.... i'm happy i get to be informal! - 23/09/2010 02:58:31 AM 1151 Views
Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:45:05 PM 1161 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:48:58 PM 1314 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:54:13 PM 1121 Views
it is not US standards. *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:03:47 PM 531 Views
good. *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:13:22 PM 575 Views
I generally don't because - 22/09/2010 10:43:38 PM 1022 Views
well fair enough... - 23/09/2010 08:07:08 AM 1108 Views
it doesn't matter if you HAVE to know their name. - 22/09/2010 10:07:18 PM 1186 Views
You are being silly and immature. - 22/09/2010 09:49:20 PM 995 Views
Thanks for your input? - 22/09/2010 10:17:21 PM 1248 Views
I usually say, "B*tch, who you be!?" - 22/09/2010 10:13:57 PM 1096 Views
Do you pronounce that with a click sound? - 22/09/2010 10:15:29 PM 1135 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 10:29:33 PM 937 Views
Perfect. *NM* - 23/09/2010 12:47:14 AM 574 Views
No you are *NM* - 23/09/2010 11:53:07 AM 570 Views
Who is this? always comes across as rude. *NM* - 22/09/2010 11:17:31 PM 499 Views
"Who may I say is calling, please?" is short and polite. - 23/09/2010 01:13:43 AM 1092 Views
when someone asks me "may I ask who's calling?"... - 23/09/2010 03:29:30 AM 1058 Views
that's because you're a tool - 23/09/2010 03:39:08 AM 1370 Views
because it amuses me *NM* - 23/09/2010 03:41:18 AM 522 Views
Huh - 15/07/2015 02:06:55 PM 668 Views

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