Silly question but please reply

[kkookk2003]

When asking for someones name or details over the phone, is it correct to say "May I have your name please?" or "May I know your name please?" Likewise is it better to ask "May I have your telephone number please?" or "May I know your telephone number please?"

[Ouisch]

"May I have your name, please?" is the correct way to ask. You also combine your requests and say "May I have your name and telephone number, please?" If it's an uncommon or difficult name, it's always OK to ask "Would you spell that for me, please?"

[matilda]

what about this one?

excuse me. who am i talking to/speaking with?


is this one ok?

[boothling]

To be grammatically correct, you'd have to say "To whom am I speaking?" -- but I wouldn't worry about that.

"Who am I talking to, please?" is fine.

[kkookk2003]

Thanks for the replies.

Is there anything particularly wrong or odd in/with the sentence - "May I know your name/address please?" (as used in formal telephone conversations). I really don't know why I don't like it. It just seems to beg the answer - "No you may not".

[Tdol]

There's nothing really wrong with it, but 'have' fits better to me.

[kkookk2003]

Thank you once again.

Just one more question for now. Is it preferable to say "Have a good day", or "Have a nice day". I don't know why, but I feel that 'good day' sounds somewhat old fashioned. Anyway, which is it more appropriate to use?

[Tdol]

In British English, I think you could use either, though it may be different in American usage.

[Ouisch]

In AmE, the usual generic sentiment is "have a nice day." However, if you are speaking to a caller in the late afternoon, "have a good evening" is a more appropriate statement.