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Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? BlackAdder Send a noteboard - 22/09/2010 08:33:24 PM
I ask this "informal" way, because the answer to the question, "May I ask who's calling?" is, "Yes, you may".

I don't think that's right, but I'm no English guru. I'd be interested to see others' answers.

For example, when someone asks "may I know your name(, please)?" the answer is not "yes, you may"

well, it's not just that anyway; usually there is a continuation.
This message last edited by BlackAdder on 22/09/2010 at 08:35:13 PM
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. lyringlas - 22/09/2010 08:19:28 PM 1503 Views
I think "May I ask who's calling" is more polite. Sareitha Sedai - 22/09/2010 08:26:55 PM 937 Views
. lyringlas - 22/09/2010 08:31:17 PM 895 Views
Well, but... Sareitha Sedai - 22/09/2010 08:42:22 PM 980 Views
. lyringlas - 22/09/2010 09:05:01 PM 851 Views
you may not BE a receptionist... LadyLorraine - 22/09/2010 09:20:09 PM 1004 Views
"And your name, so I can tell (the person you asked for)?" *NM* Hezzah - 23/09/2010 12:34:18 AM 433 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? BlackAdder - 22/09/2010 08:33:24 PM 965 Views
. lyringlas - 22/09/2010 08:38:45 PM 806 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? BlackAdder - 22/09/2010 08:55:34 PM 1155 Views
Well, the whole asking permission bit is part of being polite. *NM* Ghavrel - 22/09/2010 09:05:43 PM 400 Views
. lyringlas - 22/09/2010 09:06:47 PM 852 Views
Not so good for the phone answering, then. *NM* Ghavrel - 22/09/2010 11:29:34 PM 440 Views
Hmm... Isaac - 22/09/2010 08:59:23 PM 989 Views
It's "who" *NM* Aeryn - 22/09/2010 09:50:15 PM 430 Views
Quite true Isaac - 22/09/2010 10:07:46 PM 947 Views
I say, "May I ask who's calling?" Tigr - 22/09/2010 09:00:10 PM 938 Views
What do you do if they say "No" ? TaskmasterJack - 22/09/2010 09:43:42 PM 881 Views
Than you say. ''Ok." They may have a reason for not disclosing their name. Aeryn - 22/09/2010 09:49:56 PM 891 Views
That reason is often that they are nutters. M & M Maddy - 22/09/2010 10:29:19 PM 1004 Views
I hate it when people pull the "attorney-client privilege" thing. Ghavrel - 22/09/2010 11:31:01 PM 803 Views
They are almost invariably nutters. Elaine - 23/09/2010 01:45:41 PM 1241 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 432 Views
Tools! Tigr - 22/09/2010 10:13:32 PM 867 Views
I usually ask: "Who am I speaking with, again?" ironclad - 22/09/2010 09:12:29 PM 983 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 1109 Views
^ this. *NM* LadyLorraine - 22/09/2010 09:23:00 PM 407 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 1029 Views
+1 *NM* Rebekah - 22/09/2010 10:10:59 PM 492 Views
I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" LadyLorraine - 22/09/2010 09:27:05 PM 1017 Views
Re: I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" lyringlas - 22/09/2010 09:40:10 PM 1036 Views
well, i can sympathize with that a bit at least LadyLorraine - 22/09/2010 10:00:34 PM 1169 Views
"Who should I say is calling?" *NM* TaskmasterJack - 22/09/2010 09:41:57 PM 401 Views
This. It's polite, and asks the question correctly. beetnemesis - 23/09/2010 02:05:01 AM 845 Views
I usually say "Who may I say is calling?" but that works too... Tom - 23/09/2010 01:59:03 PM 1260 Views
language games..... temeraire - 22/09/2010 09:42:35 PM 930 Views
There would be apoplectic outcries if I answered the phone in such a way lyringlas - 22/09/2010 09:45:56 PM 1072 Views
yeah.... i'm happy i get to be informal! temeraire - 23/09/2010 02:58:31 AM 956 Views
Who is this? is unprofessional random thoughts - 22/09/2010 09:45:05 PM 955 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional lyringlas - 22/09/2010 09:48:58 PM 1118 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional ironclad - 22/09/2010 09:54:13 PM 924 Views
it is not US standards. *NM* LadyLorraine - 22/09/2010 10:03:47 PM 419 Views
good. *NM* ironclad - 22/09/2010 10:13:22 PM 491 Views
I generally don't because BlackAdder - 22/09/2010 10:43:38 PM 821 Views
well fair enough... ironclad - 23/09/2010 08:07:08 AM 927 Views
it doesn't matter if you HAVE to know their name. LadyLorraine - 22/09/2010 10:07:18 PM 995 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 995 Views
You are being silly and immature. Aeryn - 22/09/2010 09:49:20 PM 808 Views
Thanks for your input? lyringlas - 22/09/2010 10:17:21 PM 1024 Views
I usually say, "B*tch, who you be!?" Mats Gambling Buddy - 22/09/2010 10:13:57 PM 906 Views
Do you pronounce that with a click sound? Sareitha Sedai - 22/09/2010 10:15:29 PM 935 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 891 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? Zeeb - 22/09/2010 10:29:33 PM 755 Views
Perfect. *NM* Avendesora - 23/09/2010 12:47:14 AM 482 Views
No you are *NM* Zeeb - 23/09/2010 11:53:07 AM 477 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 1043 Views
politeness is practically the definition of professionalism. LadyLorraine - 23/09/2010 03:37:27 AM 965 Views
Who is this? always comes across as rude. *NM* Chas - 22/09/2010 11:17:31 PM 399 Views
"Who may I say is calling, please?" is short and polite. Tashmere - 23/09/2010 01:13:43 AM 879 Views
when someone asks me "may I ask who's calling?"... damookster - 23/09/2010 03:29:30 AM 856 Views
that's because you're a tool LadyLorraine - 23/09/2010 03:39:08 AM 1188 Views
because it amuses me *NM* damookster - 23/09/2010 03:41:18 AM 433 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 469 Views
Huh Sareitha Sedai - 15/07/2015 02:06:55 PM 480 Views
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