Current Events > Calling and asking for someone "May I ask who is calling?"

(+) Yeah! (+)

Usually this happens in the form of getting a receptionist and asking to be forwarded to whoever you need to do business with and they say this (May I ask who is calling?)

From the callers to perspective, what does this question do except give your intended recipient a chance to screen your call? I feel like being asked that is just so that if whoever Im calling doesnt want to talk to me, they can know not to pick up.

Im not saying there arent legitimate reasons to not ask whose calling, but just to give yourself a chance to be screened seems rude.

It does help a lot.
When I get forwarded a call I like to know if it's 'Stupid Fuck Parent, Stupid Fuck External Teacher, Stupid Fuck Contractor or Nice Person'

My right to screen > your desire not to be

nothanks1 posted...

It does help a lot.
When I get forwarded a call I like to know if it's 'Stupid Fuck Parent, Stupid Fuck External Teacher, Stupid Fuck Contractor or Nice Person'

No doubt it helps the recipient, but is it ever of any benefit to the caller?

why people don't wanna talk to you manye

what you doin

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It can tbh
When I'm calling into a contractor's place I usually go with 'It's {REDACTED] from the schoool {REDACTED}'
So they can tell the stupid fuck and the stupid fuck can prepare

At a business it's great. I don't need calls from everyone trying to sell me their product or setup a meeting. Receptionist gets their name, number and company and I'll check them out on my own time and call if any interest.

beststuff posted...

No doubt it helps the recipient, but is it ever of any benefit to the caller?

Yes

you may take priority & reach the recipient faster, depending on the circumstances. Absolutely

Mr Hangman posted...

Look at your null hypothesis. If the recipient only knows that some stranger is calling, would they answer that? There's a lot of spam calls these days, so odds of that are going down. Some people are too busy to be interrupted by unknown calls. If the default is to hang up on you, then saying who you are is your chance to get through, not your chance to be screened.

EXACTLY

Caller< Wants to scam you
You< Need to screen your calls

this is just wants & needs, time management 101

beststuff posted...

No doubt it helps the recipient, but is it ever of any benefit to the caller?

If the person you're trying to get on the phone is on the other line, and your call is more important, you telling the receptionist who you are can help a lot more than her just saying "he's on the other line" or "let me take a message".

They'll end their current call to take your call.

Example:

He's currently on the phone with a co-worker talking about something less than important.

You're calling from their doctor's office with test results.

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Xethuminra posted...

Yes

you may take priority & reach the recipient faster, depending on the circumstances. Absolutely

bigblu89 posted...

If the person you're trying to get on the phone is on the other line, and your call is more important, you telling the receptionist who you are can help a lot more than her just saying "he's on the other line" or "let me take a message".

They'll end their current call to take your call.

Example:

He's currently on the phone with a co-worker talking about something less than important.

You're calling from their doctor's office with test results.

Good examples. Thanks for revealing this perspective.

I now find the question slightly less irritating.

This only happens for work calls (for me), not personal ones. I am not calling anyone over something unimportant. And I do not work at a scam call center.