Active Users:384 Time:27/04/2025 05:59:48 PM
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?"

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. - 22/09/2010 08:19:28 PM 1584 Views
I think "May I ask who's calling" is more polite. - 22/09/2010 08:26:55 PM 1007 Views
. - 22/09/2010 08:31:17 PM 968 Views
Well, but... - 22/09/2010 08:42:22 PM 1050 Views
. - 22/09/2010 09:05:01 PM 924 Views
you may not BE a receptionist... - 22/09/2010 09:20:09 PM 1076 Views
"And your name, so I can tell (the person you asked for)?" *NM* - 23/09/2010 12:34:18 AM 468 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 08:33:24 PM 1042 Views
. - 22/09/2010 08:38:45 PM 875 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 08:55:34 PM 1225 Views
Well, the whole asking permission bit is part of being polite. *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:05:43 PM 431 Views
. - 22/09/2010 09:06:47 PM 922 Views
Not so good for the phone answering, then. *NM* - 22/09/2010 11:29:34 PM 467 Views
Hmm... - 22/09/2010 08:59:23 PM 1080 Views
It's "who" *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:50:15 PM 462 Views
Quite true - 22/09/2010 10:07:46 PM 1025 Views
I say, "May I ask who's calling?" - 22/09/2010 09:00:10 PM 1018 Views
What do you do if they say "No" ? - 22/09/2010 09:43:42 PM 958 Views
Than you say. ''Ok." They may have a reason for not disclosing their name. - 22/09/2010 09:49:56 PM 970 Views
That reason is often that they are nutters. - 22/09/2010 10:29:19 PM 1079 Views
I hate it when people pull the "attorney-client privilege" thing. - 22/09/2010 11:31:01 PM 881 Views
They are almost invariably nutters. - 23/09/2010 01:45:41 PM 1324 Views
Tools! - 22/09/2010 10:13:32 PM 946 Views
I usually ask: "Who am I speaking with, again?" - 22/09/2010 09:12:29 PM 1056 Views
I'm of the opinion that when you are at work, you represent your employer - 22/09/2010 09:14:58 PM 1183 Views
^ this. *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:23:00 PM 445 Views
+1 *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:10:59 PM 526 Views
I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" - 22/09/2010 09:27:05 PM 1106 Views
Re: I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?" - 22/09/2010 09:40:10 PM 1113 Views
well, i can sympathize with that a bit at least - 22/09/2010 10:00:34 PM 1246 Views
"Who should I say is calling?" *NM* - 22/09/2010 09:41:57 PM 437 Views
This. It's polite, and asks the question correctly. - 23/09/2010 02:05:01 AM 926 Views
I usually say "Who may I say is calling?" but that works too... - 23/09/2010 01:59:03 PM 1333 Views
language games..... - 22/09/2010 09:42:35 PM 1004 Views
There would be apoplectic outcries if I answered the phone in such a way - 22/09/2010 09:45:56 PM 1155 Views
yeah.... i'm happy i get to be informal! - 23/09/2010 02:58:31 AM 1041 Views
Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:45:05 PM 1031 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:48:58 PM 1207 Views
Re: Who is this? is unprofessional - 22/09/2010 09:54:13 PM 1005 Views
it is not US standards. *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:03:47 PM 474 Views
good. *NM* - 22/09/2010 10:13:22 PM 524 Views
I generally don't because - 22/09/2010 10:43:38 PM 897 Views
well fair enough... - 23/09/2010 08:07:08 AM 995 Views
it doesn't matter if you HAVE to know their name. - 22/09/2010 10:07:18 PM 1074 Views
You are being silly and immature. - 22/09/2010 09:49:20 PM 884 Views
Thanks for your input? - 22/09/2010 10:17:21 PM 1104 Views
I usually say, "B*tch, who you be!?" - 22/09/2010 10:13:57 PM 988 Views
Do you pronounce that with a click sound? - 22/09/2010 10:15:29 PM 1015 Views
Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this? - 22/09/2010 10:29:33 PM 828 Views
Perfect. *NM* - 23/09/2010 12:47:14 AM 519 Views
No you are *NM* - 23/09/2010 11:53:07 AM 510 Views
Who is this? always comes across as rude. *NM* - 22/09/2010 11:17:31 PM 442 Views
"Who may I say is calling, please?" is short and polite. - 23/09/2010 01:13:43 AM 958 Views
when someone asks me "may I ask who's calling?"... - 23/09/2010 03:29:30 AM 926 Views
that's because you're a tool - 23/09/2010 03:39:08 AM 1261 Views
because it amuses me *NM* - 23/09/2010 03:41:18 AM 467 Views
Huh - 15/07/2015 02:06:55 PM 547 Views

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