Well, if they don't want to tell me who they are, they don't get transferred. I learned that on day one. It doesn't matter how sensitive the manner of the call. I screen calls for both our Chair and Executive Admin, as well as anyone whom might call the wrong number.
Exactly.
I was a little surprised you have to ask in the first place, but with the rest of the replies coming in now, it seems to be US standards not to introduce yourself to the company/person you called first? How is that for etiquette?

these days, when I call a company, it's often a central number from which I get forwarded to the department/center I'm actually interested in. I would not give any personal info to the first line unless there was a good reason to do so (e.g., if they could help me without transferring, or if the information would help them transfer me to the right place, etc.).
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22/09/2010 08:19:28 PM
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I think "May I ask who's calling" is more polite.
22/09/2010 08:26:55 PM
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.
22/09/2010 08:31:17 PM
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Re: May I ask who's calling / Who is this?
22/09/2010 08:33:24 PM
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22/09/2010 08:38:45 PM
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Well, the whole asking permission bit is part of being polite.
*NM*
22/09/2010 09:05:43 PM
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I say, "May I ask who's calling?"
22/09/2010 09:00:10 PM
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What do you do if they say "No" ?
22/09/2010 09:43:42 PM
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Than you say. ''Ok." They may have a reason for not disclosing their name.
22/09/2010 09:49:56 PM
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That reason is often that they are nutters.
22/09/2010 10:29:19 PM
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I hate it when people pull the "attorney-client privilege" thing.
22/09/2010 11:31:01 PM
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Ah, you mean because they want to sell my boss storm windows or vinyl siding. *NM*
22/09/2010 10:30:15 PM
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I'm of the opinion that when you are at work, you represent your employer
22/09/2010 09:14:58 PM
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Re: I'm of the opinion that when you are at work, you represent your employer
22/09/2010 09:42:29 PM
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I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?"
22/09/2010 09:27:05 PM
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Re: I typically say something along the lines of "And who am I speaking to?"
22/09/2010 09:40:10 PM
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language games.....
22/09/2010 09:42:35 PM
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There would be apoplectic outcries if I answered the phone in such a way
22/09/2010 09:45:56 PM
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Who is this? is unprofessional
22/09/2010 09:45:05 PM
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Re: Who is this? is unprofessional
22/09/2010 09:48:58 PM
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Re: Who is this? is unprofessional
22/09/2010 09:54:13 PM
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I generally don't because
22/09/2010 10:43:38 PM
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You don’t have to transfer for them if they refuse but you should still ask politely
22/09/2010 10:31:55 PM
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I usually say, "B*tch, who you be!?"
22/09/2010 10:13:57 PM
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And I be all, like, sobbing and crying cause you're a rude jerk. And then you laugh at me some more
22/09/2010 10:33:38 PM
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Please stop splitting hairs. You're way is simply inccorrect. You cannot justify the rudeness away.
22/09/2010 10:49:05 PM
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when someone asks me "may I ask who's calling?"...
23/09/2010 03:29:30 AM
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It's quite simple, really. Do you like getting paid? Then answer the phone the way your boss wants *NM*
24/09/2010 03:46:24 AM
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