Can I help you?

[Needtoknow]

When answering a phone in busines what is the "correct" grammar?

Hello this Kay, Can I help you?

or

Hello this is Kay, May I help you?

Or it just a matter of preference?

[corum]

I have a friend who lives in South Africa and who is a lawyer (he has education). He keeps correcting me when I use 'can' thus. And I keep re-correcting him. With 'may' you are more polite and formal.

[bertietheblue]

With 'how' before, may/can mean the same because the question is no longer about permission/capacity but about the 'how'. 'May' is more formal.

"Reception, how can I help you!"

"Reception, how may I help you!"