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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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. - 22/09/2010 08:19:28 PM 1706 Views
I think "May I ask who's calling" is more polite. - 22/09/2010 08:26:55 PM 1130 Views
. - 22/09/2010 08:31:17 PM 1090 Views
Well, but... - 22/09/2010 08:42:22 PM 1182 Views
. - 22/09/2010 09:05:01 PM 1047 Views
you may not BE a receptionist... - 22/09/2010 09:20:09 PM 1194 Views
"And your name, so I can tell (the person you asked for)?" *NM* - 23/09/2010 12:34:18 AM 521 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 08:33:24 PM 1159 Views
. - 22/09/2010 08:38:45 PM 1030 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 08:55:34 PM 1341 Views
Well, the whole asking permission bit is part of being polite. *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:05:43 PM 495 Views
. - 22/09/2010 09:06:47 PM 1041 Views
Not so good for the phone answering, then. *NM* - 22/09/2010 11:29:34 PM 525 Views
Hmm... - 22/09/2010 08:59:23 PM 1197 Views
It's "who" *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:50:15 PM 518 Views
Quite true - 22/09/2010 10:07:46 PM 1155 Views
I say, "May I ask who's calling?" - 22/09/2010 09:00:10 PM 1120 Views
What do you do if they say "No" ? - 22/09/2010 09:43:42 PM 1079 Views
Than you say. ''Ok." They may have a reason for not disclosing their name. - 22/09/2010 09:49:56 PM 1101 Views
That reason is often that they are nutters. - 22/09/2010 10:29:19 PM 1198 Views
I hate it when people pull the "attorney-client privilege" thing. - 22/09/2010 11:31:01 PM 998 Views
They are almost invariably nutters. - 23/09/2010 01:45:41 PM 1466 Views
Tools! - 22/09/2010 10:13:32 PM 1075 Views
I usually ask: "Who am I speaking with, again?" - 22/09/2010 09:12:29 PM 1172 Views
I'm of the opinion that when you are at work, you represent your employer - 22/09/2010 09:14:58 PM 1316 Views
^ this. *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:23:00 PM 497 Views
+1 *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:10:59 PM 590 Views
I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" - 22/09/2010 09:27:05 PM 1236 Views
Re: I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" - 22/09/2010 09:40:10 PM 1246 Views
well, i can sympathize with that a bit at least - 22/09/2010 10:00:34 PM 1391 Views
"Who should I say is calling?" *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:41:57 PM 513 Views
This. It's polite, and asks the question correctly. - 23/09/2010 02:05:01 AM 1066 Views
I usually say "Who may I say is calling?" but that works too... - 23/09/2010 01:59:03 PM 1457 Views
language games..... - 22/09/2010 09:42:35 PM 1120 Views
There would be apoplectic outcries if I answered the phone in such a way - 22/09/2010 09:45:56 PM 1294 Views
yeah.... i'm happy i get to be informal! - 23/09/2010 02:58:31 AM 1159 Views
Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:45:05 PM 1169 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:48:58 PM 1328 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:54:13 PM 1131 Views
it is not US standards. *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:03:47 PM 535 Views
good. *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:13:22 PM 581 Views
I generally don't because - 22/09/2010 10:43:38 PM 1030 Views
well fair enough... - 23/09/2010 08:07:08 AM 1120 Views
it doesn't matter if you HAVE to know their name. - 22/09/2010 10:07:18 PM 1197 Views
You are being silly and immature. - 22/09/2010 09:49:20 PM 1001 Views
Thanks for your input? - 22/09/2010 10:17:21 PM 1260 Views
I usually say, "B*tch, who you be!?" - 22/09/2010 10:13:57 PM 1105 Views
Do you pronounce that with a click sound? - 22/09/2010 10:15:29 PM 1146 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 10:29:33 PM 948 Views
Perfect. *NM* - 23/09/2010 12:47:14 AM 579 Views
No you are *NM* - 23/09/2010 11:53:07 AM 579 Views
Who is this? always comes across as rude. *NM* - 22/09/2010 11:17:31 PM 507 Views
"Who may I say is calling, please?" is short and polite. - 23/09/2010 01:13:43 AM 1101 Views
when someone asks me "may I ask who's calling?"... - 23/09/2010 03:29:30 AM 1074 Views
that's because you're a tool - 23/09/2010 03:39:08 AM 1382 Views
because it amuses me *NM* - 23/09/2010 03:41:18 AM 527 Views
Huh - 15/07/2015 02:06:55 PM 682 Views

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