Hello? This is Alan here!

It is interesting to see how a simple telephone conversation can be interpreted in so many ways but in particular, I'm intrigued by the way people talks over the telephone in Netherlands. I would see that happening in corporate front reception or maybe over a helpline we call for our various mobile services. And I definitely do not identify myself when I answer a call. My phone openings goes somewhat like this (if I was answering, with our Singlish):

Me: Eh yo!! How you doing man? What's up?
Friend: Okay lor. Feeling damn sian cuz of work. Anyway right!! *main topic*

This is my usual response to any phone calls. But it depends on what I am talking to as well! If I was answering an unknown number phone call, it'll go like this:

Me: Hello? *very very suspiciously*
Unknown: Hi! Is that *so-and-so*? I calling from ABC company.
Me: *toot toot toot* *hunged up*

Well yes! My phone opening might as well be my closing too. I usually just listen out for who is on the line as I cant be bothered with people who got my number through unknown means.

During the class, we spoke about listener response. I myself feel that it is important for both parties of a conversation to respond to each other with "hmmm"s, "ohh"s or "yes"s. If not, how do we actually know that the other party is listening and taking in what you are talking about? That is why I am very surprised when it was mentioned that Swedes do not have much listener response. How do they actually know that the other party is listening? Or when they talk, they just want someone to direct their subject to? I probably would be very very offended if I was on the phone with one of them.

Once again, culture plays a huge part of how we converse over the telephone and what we say first in a phone opening. After going through this, I began to wonder what people of other nationalities think of our phone openings as compared to theirs. Whether they were offended, confused or just plainly unable to hear or tell any differences. I certainly would not have paid any attention to phone openings until now and I am still, very, amazed by how our simple conversations can be categorised in such a way. I cannot wait to see what the next lesson topics would be.