Active Users:654 Time:03/08/2025 04:48:19 AM
You are being silly and immature. Aeryn Send a noteboard - 22/09/2010 09:49:20 PM
Privacy is a BIG thing. You may not demand to know the caller's name. You may only politely inquire if you may breach their privacy by learning their name. And yes, you do need permission for that.

Good alternative include

"May I have your name?"

"What is your name, if you don't mind?" (more casual; I usually only say this way when I'm already taking down a message from them)

"May I tell him who's calling?"

Reply to message
. - 22/09/2010 08:19:28 PM 1616 Views
I think "May I ask who's calling" is more polite. - 22/09/2010 08:26:55 PM 1041 Views
. - 22/09/2010 08:31:17 PM 998 Views
Well, but... - 22/09/2010 08:42:22 PM 1079 Views
. - 22/09/2010 09:05:01 PM 956 Views
you may not BE a receptionist... - 22/09/2010 09:20:09 PM 1108 Views
"And your name, so I can tell (the person you asked for)?" *NM* - 23/09/2010 12:34:18 AM 483 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 08:33:24 PM 1073 Views
. - 22/09/2010 08:38:45 PM 908 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 08:55:34 PM 1256 Views
Well, the whole asking permission bit is part of being polite. *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:05:43 PM 445 Views
. - 22/09/2010 09:06:47 PM 951 Views
Not so good for the phone answering, then. *NM* - 22/09/2010 11:29:34 PM 481 Views
Hmm... - 22/09/2010 08:59:23 PM 1108 Views
It's "who" *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:50:15 PM 475 Views
Quite true - 22/09/2010 10:07:46 PM 1058 Views
I say, "May I ask who's calling?" - 22/09/2010 09:00:10 PM 1044 Views
What do you do if they say "No" ? - 22/09/2010 09:43:42 PM 987 Views
Than you say. ''Ok." They may have a reason for not disclosing their name. - 22/09/2010 09:49:56 PM 1002 Views
That reason is often that they are nutters. - 22/09/2010 10:29:19 PM 1109 Views
I hate it when people pull the "attorney-client privilege" thing. - 22/09/2010 11:31:01 PM 904 Views
They are almost invariably nutters. - 23/09/2010 01:45:41 PM 1353 Views
Tools! - 22/09/2010 10:13:32 PM 974 Views
I usually ask: "Who am I speaking with, again?" - 22/09/2010 09:12:29 PM 1083 Views
I'm of the opinion that when you are at work, you represent your employer - 22/09/2010 09:14:58 PM 1209 Views
^ this. *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:23:00 PM 457 Views
+1 *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:10:59 PM 540 Views
I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" - 22/09/2010 09:27:05 PM 1138 Views
Re: I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" - 22/09/2010 09:40:10 PM 1150 Views
well, i can sympathize with that a bit at least - 22/09/2010 10:00:34 PM 1274 Views
"Who should I say is calling?" *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:41:57 PM 455 Views
This. It's polite, and asks the question correctly. - 23/09/2010 02:05:01 AM 955 Views
I usually say "Who may I say is calling?" but that works too... - 23/09/2010 01:59:03 PM 1365 Views
language games..... - 22/09/2010 09:42:35 PM 1033 Views
There would be apoplectic outcries if I answered the phone in such a way - 22/09/2010 09:45:56 PM 1192 Views
yeah.... i'm happy i get to be informal! - 23/09/2010 02:58:31 AM 1068 Views
Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:45:05 PM 1061 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:48:58 PM 1237 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:54:13 PM 1039 Views
it is not US standards. *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:03:47 PM 492 Views
good. *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:13:22 PM 538 Views
I generally don't because - 22/09/2010 10:43:38 PM 925 Views
well fair enough... - 23/09/2010 08:07:08 AM 1027 Views
it doesn't matter if you HAVE to know their name. - 22/09/2010 10:07:18 PM 1103 Views
You are being silly and immature. - 22/09/2010 09:49:20 PM 913 Views
Thanks for your input? - 22/09/2010 10:17:21 PM 1134 Views
I usually say, "B*tch, who you be!?" - 22/09/2010 10:13:57 PM 1015 Views
Do you pronounce that with a click sound? - 22/09/2010 10:15:29 PM 1043 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 10:29:33 PM 858 Views
Perfect. *NM* - 23/09/2010 12:47:14 AM 531 Views
No you are *NM* - 23/09/2010 11:53:07 AM 523 Views
Who is this? always comes across as rude. *NM* - 22/09/2010 11:17:31 PM 457 Views
"Who may I say is calling, please?" is short and polite. - 23/09/2010 01:13:43 AM 988 Views
when someone asks me "may I ask who's calling?"... - 23/09/2010 03:29:30 AM 967 Views
that's because you're a tool - 23/09/2010 03:39:08 AM 1291 Views
because it amuses me *NM* - 23/09/2010 03:41:18 AM 479 Views
Huh - 15/07/2015 02:06:55 PM 584 Views

Reply to Message