Telephone etiquette (a small rant)

[trof]

<rinnnng (or chirp, or whatever that sound is now)>
Hello?
Hi.
(Who the hell is this?)Hi.
How are you?
Fine. (telemarketer?)
What's going on?
Nothing much. Who IS this?
Oh, it's Carolyn.
(I know 1, 2....4 Carolyns)
Sorry, but I gotta ask, Carolyn who?

Even if we talk every day I want to hear "Hi, this is Carolyn Smith."
Is that too damned much to ask?
<mutter-grumble>

[gollygee]

1. I have a little telephone rant too

There's a woman who works at a business I call from time to time who answers the phone like this:

"Who is this?"

Rather than with a typical, "Hello."

She's really old so I feel bad complaining, but it drives me NUTS!

[salvorhardin]

4. Heh -- I have that peeve too

I've done the retail thing in the past and Management made sure we knew the proper way to answer the phone was, "Hi, Colvin Plaza Megalomart, this is Dorkus. How can I help/assist you?"

[salvorhardin]

2. Generally

in my circle of friends it's not considered necessary to state your last name, but it is nice to say, "Hi, it's Carolyn..." If the person you're talking to is having a brain fart and doesn't recognize your voice, there's no need for embarassment by either party. The same goes for my closest business contacts, but it's good to state the reason of the call up front. "Hi, it's Carolyn, I was just calling to go over the revisions on the new site design." Anyone else, it's good phone manners to state your full name and reason for calling up front. "Hi, this is Carolyn Whatzits and I'm calling about your XYZ hosting package."

Actually, when it comes to my bestest friends we feel no need to introduce ourselves at all. Usually, a simple "It's me," is fine. I have one friend whose standard greeting is to simply grunt (inside joke).

[trof]

5. Agree in part.

I usually recognize folks I talk to a lot.
But most of them still say "Hi, this is Carolyn."
I have a pretty distinctive southern drawl and I still say "Hi, this is trof."

[salvorhardin]

8. I think it boils down to common sense...

When and how familiar to be on the phone. Unless you're bestest buddies with the person you're calling, it's best to at least announce who the f**k you are. OTOH, I tend to be a bit of a ass when it comes to the phone. I've turned the ringer on my phone off (this works because my phone has a blinking light when it rings) so I no longer worry about incessant ringing when I'm away from the phone. Also, I usually won't answer unless I recognize the number on the caller ID. I figure if it's important they'll leave a message.

[skygazer]

3. My personal phone pet peeve

I answer phone with "hello" (usually cell phone)

"Who is this?"

Now my reply is ALWAYS - "Hey, you called me. Who are YOU?"

I always find it incredible that people call my number but then wonder who I am. Obviously it's because they've dialed the wrong number and don't recognize my voice but in that case they should say, "Is this Tracy's number?" (or whoever they're calling).

I consider, "Who is this?" to be pretty rude.

[shesemsmom]

6. If they ask who is this

I reply..who do you want , your doing the calling babe.........:nuke:

[Solly Mack]

7. Me, too! OMG. That so pisses me off when people don't identify

themselves when they call.

[AlCzervik]

9. I have this and i've used before on telemarketers

it works like a charm

It a marine air horn used by boaters, very loud.