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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.
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Continued Love of my Aussie <3
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. - 22/09/2010 08:19:28 PM 1613 Views
I think "May I ask who's calling" is more polite. - 22/09/2010 08:26:55 PM 1038 Views
. - 22/09/2010 08:31:17 PM 996 Views
Well, but... - 22/09/2010 08:42:22 PM 1077 Views
. - 22/09/2010 09:05:01 PM 952 Views
you may not BE a receptionist... - 22/09/2010 09:20:09 PM 1104 Views
"And your name, so I can tell (the person you asked for)?" *NM* - 23/09/2010 12:34:18 AM 481 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 08:33:24 PM 1068 Views
. - 22/09/2010 08:38:45 PM 905 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 08:55:34 PM 1252 Views
Well, the whole asking permission bit is part of being polite. *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:05:43 PM 444 Views
. - 22/09/2010 09:06:47 PM 948 Views
Not so good for the phone answering, then. *NM* - 22/09/2010 11:29:34 PM 479 Views
Hmm... - 22/09/2010 08:59:23 PM 1105 Views
It's "who" *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:50:15 PM 473 Views
Quite true - 22/09/2010 10:07:46 PM 1054 Views
I say, "May I ask who's calling?" - 22/09/2010 09:00:10 PM 1040 Views
What do you do if they say "No" ? - 22/09/2010 09:43:42 PM 984 Views
Than you say. ''Ok." They may have a reason for not disclosing their name. - 22/09/2010 09:49:56 PM 998 Views
That reason is often that they are nutters. - 22/09/2010 10:29:19 PM 1100 Views
I hate it when people pull the "attorney-client privilege" thing. - 22/09/2010 11:31:01 PM 902 Views
They are almost invariably nutters. - 23/09/2010 01:45:41 PM 1350 Views
Tools! - 22/09/2010 10:13:32 PM 971 Views
I usually ask: "Who am I speaking with, again?" - 22/09/2010 09:12:29 PM 1080 Views
I'm of the opinion that when you are at work, you represent your employer - 22/09/2010 09:14:58 PM 1206 Views
^ this. *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:23:00 PM 455 Views
+1 *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:10:59 PM 537 Views
I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" - 22/09/2010 09:27:05 PM 1134 Views
Re: I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" - 22/09/2010 09:40:10 PM 1146 Views
well, i can sympathize with that a bit at least - 22/09/2010 10:00:34 PM 1270 Views
"Who should I say is calling?" *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:41:57 PM 452 Views
This. It's polite, and asks the question correctly. - 23/09/2010 02:05:01 AM 952 Views
I usually say "Who may I say is calling?" but that works too... - 23/09/2010 01:59:03 PM 1362 Views
language games..... - 22/09/2010 09:42:35 PM 1029 Views
There would be apoplectic outcries if I answered the phone in such a way - 22/09/2010 09:45:56 PM 1186 Views
yeah.... i'm happy i get to be informal! - 23/09/2010 02:58:31 AM 1066 Views
Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:45:05 PM 1056 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:48:58 PM 1232 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:54:13 PM 1028 Views
it is not US standards. *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:03:47 PM 489 Views
good. *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:13:22 PM 534 Views
I generally don't because - 22/09/2010 10:43:38 PM 921 Views
well fair enough... - 23/09/2010 08:07:08 AM 1023 Views
it doesn't matter if you HAVE to know their name. - 22/09/2010 10:07:18 PM 1099 Views
You are being silly and immature. - 22/09/2010 09:49:20 PM 909 Views
Thanks for your input? - 22/09/2010 10:17:21 PM 1129 Views
I usually say, "B*tch, who you be!?" - 22/09/2010 10:13:57 PM 1012 Views
Do you pronounce that with a click sound? - 22/09/2010 10:15:29 PM 1038 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 10:29:33 PM 853 Views
Perfect. *NM* - 23/09/2010 12:47:14 AM 529 Views
No you are *NM* - 23/09/2010 11:53:07 AM 521 Views
Who is this? always comes across as rude. *NM* - 22/09/2010 11:17:31 PM 454 Views
"Who may I say is calling, please?" is short and polite. - 23/09/2010 01:13:43 AM 984 Views
when someone asks me "may I ask who's calling?"... - 23/09/2010 03:29:30 AM 960 Views
that's because you're a tool - 23/09/2010 03:39:08 AM 1288 Views
because it amuses me *NM* - 23/09/2010 03:41:18 AM 476 Views
Huh - 15/07/2015 02:06:55 PM 581 Views

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