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I feel it should be this since am talking to the very same person, but for some reason I see some people saying “Is that XYZ?”

What are your thoughts about this bit of phone etiquette?

tchrist
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Jack
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  • It is regional thing: in UK we ask "is that XYZ?" People would think it strange if they answer the phone and the caller doesn't know their own identity. It would be like "Am I XYZ?" – Weather Vane Oct 05 '20 at 07:47
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    Does this answer your question? In answering a telephone call, why do you say "Who is this?" instead of "Who is that?" // "Who is this, please?" is the way I usually deal with an unsolicited and as yet anonymous call. And I live in the UK too, @Weather Vane. We have a choice of deictic centre. – Edwin Ashworth Oct 05 '20 at 15:04
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    Welcome to EL&U. To my American ear, both sound overly direct for a cold call. Hello, may I speak to Mr. Smith, please? This is X. or Hello, this is X. Is Mr. Smith available? would be more polite. If you are calling somewhere familiar, this or that might be used in an endearing way if, for example, a child is answering the phone (Hello, is that Morty? My, you sound so grown up. Is your dad home?). Since there is no context given and the question is a solicitation for opinions, however, I must vote to close. – choster Oct 05 '20 at 15:20

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This certainly has regional and national differences.

In my case (US English), the most common phrasing is:

"Hello, is this Mr. Smith?"

Also common:

"Hello, are you Mr. Smith?"

"Hello, I'm calling for Mr. Smith"

"Hello, is Mr. Smith there?"

"Hello, I'm trying to reach Mr. Smith."

user8356
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