Active Users:1884 Time:02/08/2026 12:07:57 PM
Back to Messageboard Post New Thread Search Help Stats Rules
it doesn't matter if you HAVE to know their name. LadyLorraine Send a noteboard - 22/09/2010 10:07:18 PM
it is still polite and professional to not demand a breach of their privacy. They have a right to not give out their name (I'm not saying this means you must behave as if they had, I'm just saying they have a right not to give it.)

If they refuse to give their name, you merely tell them you cannot transfer them etc...etc...without being able to tell your boss who is calling. If they throw a fit, it's not your fault. If they throw a fit because they found your question intrusive and unprofessional, they might be over reacting, but you can still catch blame.
Still Empress of the Poofy Purple Pillow Pile Palace!!
Continued Love of my Aussie <3
Reply to message
. lyringlas - 22/09/2010 08:19:28 PM 1826 Views
I think "May I ask who's calling" is more polite. Sareitha Sedai - 22/09/2010 08:26:55 PM 1242 Views
. lyringlas - 22/09/2010 08:31:17 PM 1197 Views
Well, but... Sareitha Sedai - 22/09/2010 08:42:22 PM 1285 Views
. lyringlas - 22/09/2010 09:05:01 PM 1166 Views
you may not BE a receptionist... LadyLorraine - 22/09/2010 09:20:09 PM 1298 Views
"And your name, so I can tell (the person you asked for)?" *NM* Hezzah - 23/09/2010 12:34:18 AM 579 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? BlackAdder - 22/09/2010 08:33:24 PM 1279 Views
. lyringlas - 22/09/2010 08:38:45 PM 1131 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? BlackAdder - 22/09/2010 08:55:34 PM 1444 Views
Well, the whole asking permission bit is part of being polite. *NM* Ghavrel - 22/09/2010 09:05:43 PM 550 Views
. lyringlas - 22/09/2010 09:06:47 PM 1154 Views
Not so good for the phone answering, then. *NM* Ghavrel - 22/09/2010 11:29:34 PM 579 Views
Hmm... Isaac - 22/09/2010 08:59:23 PM 1351 Views
It's "who" *NM* Aeryn - 22/09/2010 09:50:15 PM 577 Views
Quite true Isaac - 22/09/2010 10:07:46 PM 1279 Views
I say, "May I ask who's calling?" Tigr - 22/09/2010 09:00:10 PM 1232 Views
What do you do if they say "No" ? TaskmasterJack - 22/09/2010 09:43:42 PM 1203 Views
Than you say. ''Ok." They may have a reason for not disclosing their name. Aeryn - 22/09/2010 09:49:56 PM 1208 Views
That reason is often that they are nutters. M & M Maddy - 22/09/2010 10:29:19 PM 1310 Views
I hate it when people pull the "attorney-client privilege" thing. Ghavrel - 22/09/2010 11:31:01 PM 1111 Views
They are almost invariably nutters. Elaine - 23/09/2010 01:45:41 PM 1594 Views
Ah, you mean because they want to sell my boss storm windows or vinyl siding. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 22/09/2010 10:30:15 PM 589 Views
Tools! Tigr - 22/09/2010 10:13:32 PM 1197 Views
I usually ask: "Who am I speaking with, again?" ironclad - 22/09/2010 09:12:29 PM 1292 Views
I'm of the opinion that when you are at work, you represent your employer M & M Maddy - 22/09/2010 09:14:58 PM 1425 Views
^ this. *NM* LadyLorraine - 22/09/2010 09:23:00 PM 554 Views
Re: I'm of the opinion that when you are at work, you represent your employer lyringlas - 22/09/2010 09:42:29 PM 1388 Views
+1 *NM* Rebekah - 22/09/2010 10:10:59 PM 660 Views
I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" LadyLorraine - 22/09/2010 09:27:05 PM 1354 Views
Re: I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" lyringlas - 22/09/2010 09:40:10 PM 1374 Views
well, i can sympathize with that a bit at least LadyLorraine - 22/09/2010 10:00:34 PM 1516 Views
"Who should I say is calling?" *NM* TaskmasterJack - 22/09/2010 09:41:57 PM 568 Views
This. It's polite, and asks the question correctly. beetnemesis - 23/09/2010 02:05:01 AM 1207 Views
I usually say "Who may I say is calling?" but that works too... Tom - 23/09/2010 01:59:03 PM 1576 Views
language games..... temeraire - 22/09/2010 09:42:35 PM 1227 Views
There would be apoplectic outcries if I answered the phone in such a way lyringlas - 22/09/2010 09:45:56 PM 1412 Views
yeah.... i'm happy i get to be informal! temeraire - 23/09/2010 02:58:31 AM 1264 Views
Who is this? is unprofessional random thoughts - 22/09/2010 09:45:05 PM 1286 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional lyringlas - 22/09/2010 09:48:58 PM 1459 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional ironclad - 22/09/2010 09:54:13 PM 1250 Views
it is not US standards. *NM* LadyLorraine - 22/09/2010 10:03:47 PM 587 Views
good. *NM* ironclad - 22/09/2010 10:13:22 PM 637 Views
I generally don't because BlackAdder - 22/09/2010 10:43:38 PM 1151 Views
well fair enough... ironclad - 23/09/2010 08:07:08 AM 1222 Views
it doesn't matter if you HAVE to know their name. LadyLorraine - 22/09/2010 10:07:18 PM 1308 Views
You don’t have to transfer for them if they refuse but you should still ask politely random thoughts - 22/09/2010 10:31:55 PM 1323 Views
You are being silly and immature. Aeryn - 22/09/2010 09:49:20 PM 1105 Views
Thanks for your input? lyringlas - 22/09/2010 10:17:21 PM 1383 Views
I usually say, "B*tch, who you be!?" Mats Gambling Buddy - 22/09/2010 10:13:57 PM 1211 Views
Do you pronounce that with a click sound? Sareitha Sedai - 22/09/2010 10:15:29 PM 1268 Views
And I be all, like, sobbing and crying cause you're a rude jerk. And then you laugh at me some more TaskmasterJack - 22/09/2010 10:33:38 PM 1213 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? Zeeb - 22/09/2010 10:29:33 PM 1074 Views
Perfect. *NM* Avendesora - 23/09/2010 12:47:14 AM 631 Views
No you are *NM* Zeeb - 23/09/2010 11:53:07 AM 639 Views
Please stop splitting hairs. You're way is simply inccorrect. You cannot justify the rudeness away. M & M Maddy - 22/09/2010 10:49:05 PM 1376 Views
politeness is practically the definition of professionalism. LadyLorraine - 23/09/2010 03:37:27 AM 1270 Views
Who is this? always comes across as rude. *NM* Chas - 22/09/2010 11:17:31 PM 565 Views
"Who may I say is calling, please?" is short and polite. Tashmere - 23/09/2010 01:13:43 AM 1216 Views
when someone asks me "may I ask who's calling?"... damookster - 23/09/2010 03:29:30 AM 1177 Views
that's because you're a tool LadyLorraine - 23/09/2010 03:39:08 AM 1495 Views
because it amuses me *NM* damookster - 23/09/2010 03:41:18 AM 577 Views
It's quite simple, really. Do you like getting paid? Then answer the phone the way your boss wants *NM* Missa Sedai - 24/09/2010 03:46:24 AM 613 Views
Huh Sareitha Sedai - 15/07/2015 02:06:55 PM 774 Views
Back to Messageboard Post New Thread Search Help Stats Rules

Reply to Message

Block Quote Paragraph Quote
Formatting
Smiley Codes