say "who's speaking?" when I make a phone call after someone picks up?
2007-03-13 09:44:03 · 23 answers · asked by wolf1ibm 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
If you are making the call, it would be considered improper and very rude to just ask "Who's speaking," because you are the one calling them, and therefore should know yourself. If they do not answer with their name however, it would not be considered impolite to ask "May I ask who is speaking?" or "May I speak with _______?" Therefore, you are being polite by still giving them the concession of giving their name, rather than demaning for it.
Also, try make sure that you gave them time to talk, like saying "hello" before doing any of the above. To just skip over that would definatly be rude.
If they are calling you, it would also be more proper to ask the concession "May I ask who is speaking" rather than to ask "who's speaking."
Also, the contraction (if you want to get really proper) would make it less formal.
2007-03-13 09:50:41 · answer #1 · answered by Derrec 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not. It's an American habit not to say who is speaking but rather to just say 'hi?' or 'hello?' when picking up the phone; here in Europe everybody always gives their name when answering the phone. I think it's just practical to know who you're talking to; I hated it when I lived with others, I'd I pick up and even though I do say my name the other person will assume I'm my mom or housemate and start to blahblahblah away about something that doesn't concern me before I can stop them and tell them they got the wrong person. Far nicer to check you got the correct person first!
2007-03-14 01:39:46 · answer #2 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Extremely rude. Whenever someone calls me and the first thing they say is, "Who is this?" no matter how the verbage is sugar coated -- my response is always, "You called me, who is this?" Just ask for the person you wish to speak to. Or by any means -- always introduce yourself first, after all you made the phone call.
2007-03-13 10:03:49 · answer #3 · answered by thatgirl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes I think it is rude because when someone calls a number they should identify themselves first, and then ask for who they are calling for, not say "who is speaking?" I always respond to that with the return question "who are you calling for?" (Unless you're at work or in a familiar situation with someone.)
2007-03-13 10:50:05 · answer #4 · answered by Trenae345 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do that, but I say "Hi , this is ( ), I'm sorry, who am I speaking with?" That way at least you are acknowledging that they said hello when you called and not just going "who's speaking?" They might take that as rude. :)
2007-03-13 09:48:48 · answer #5 · answered by Karen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,ask to speak to the person you are calling.
2007-03-13 09:50:49 · answer #6 · answered by siaosi 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. They are calling your house. They already know who you are. May as well be on equal footing. I always say, "may I ask who's calling" if I don't catch the voice.
2007-03-13 09:49:01 · answer #7 · answered by DizziDazi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. if you are the one placing the call you should say hello and state your name and then ask for the person you are trying to reach. i hate when i answer the phone and someone asks who I am....ummmm...you called me
2007-03-13 10:22:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I do that too so I know who I'm speaking too. The real polite way is "to whoem am I speaking too"
2007-03-13 09:48:03 · answer #9 · answered by missgigglebunny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I don't think it is rude at all. When people call they should announce who they are
2007-03-13 10:19:21 · answer #10 · answered by vcurness 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋