Re: How Do You Greet The Caller On Your Phone?

True. I hate it when the phone rings. Anybody who comes on trying to sell me something or asks "Could I speak to Mrs. F. please?", I say, very abruptly "It depends who it is who is asking. Who are you and where did you get this number from? And can I help you myself?" even before I disclose who we actually are.
If they say "I can't tell you what we want, I can only speak with Mrs. F", I say "well she's not available if you don't tell me who you are. Send her a letter with your question in the post" and usually put the phone down.

Re: How Do You Greet The Caller On Your Phone?

Depends on who it is, Artangel.

Friends - usually "Hello - then their name".
Unknown local numbers - just "Hello".

Out of area unknown numbers either go to voicemail or, if I am feeling wicked, are answered by "Hello - Mortuary!".

Re: How Do You Greet The Caller On Your Phone?

Talk is a "Reflex" it leaves you answered with a question mark.

Re: How Do You Greet The Caller On Your Phone?

Is that why all Australian sentences end with an upward inflection?

Re: How Do You Greet The Caller On Your Phone?

" This call is being recorded for training purposes"

Re: How Do You Greet The Caller On Your Phone?

I don't say anything these days I wait and listen.

There are automated calling systems that are checking to see if is a 'live' number and it is helpful if they get a response even better a name. So I am not going to help them . Responding leaves you open to cold calls on your live number.

If I am expecting a call as in the other day I will say 'is that the garage' or whatever .

Most legitimate people will say 'Hello Mrs S this is your garage/dentist etc' before I have time to speak, Family call my mobile .

Re: How Do You Greet The Caller On Your Phone?

The landline I answer with silence. I wait for them to speak as it's almost always a scam.

Re: How Do You Greet The Caller On Your Phone?

That is actually a great idea. Just wait and see if they actually speak. If they keep saying "hello, is there anybody there?" then you know it's a human voice and you can then decide whether or not to reply. I'll try this out next time the phone rings

Re: How Do You Greet The Caller On Your Phone?

I have an answer machine....I let it ring...when the machine takes over...if they start to leave a message,

If I feel like talking,I pick it up then say hi.then their name.other than that..they leave a message.

Re: How Do You Greet The Caller On Your Phone?

Ditto. I have call display. There aren’t a lot of calls I receive except from people I know cause I don’t answer them otherwise. I believe because I don’t answer them, my number isn’t sold to others.