How do you answer your phone?

I had a call today from someone I worked with a few months back. I hadn’t heard from them for ages. I knew it was them as their ID flashed up on my phone.

I answered the call by saying my name and saying “Good afternoon”.

They seemed a little put out that I hadn’t greeted them personally – had I perhaps even deleted them from my phone list? Fortunately we quickly glossed over this, and got down to catching up on our respective news, and discussing a potential business idea.

But it got me thinking, is there an accepted way to greet someone on the phone when you know it’s them? Do you say their name?  Would you still be as informal if you hadn’t spoken to them for several months? Do you regularly clear out your contacts list?

I guess there is no right or wrong, but I’d be really interested to know what you do…

Tags: answer, manners, mobile, phone