Thread: when you call a stranger

What do I say when I call a stranger?

"Good afternoon Mr. XCZ"

(I) "Am I disturbing?"
or
"This is the right time to speak with you?"
or
"Are you occupied? Do you want me to call you later?"


or
Any other viarant you russians used when you do phone-calls to strangers.

(II) I am speaking on behalf of Mr. UYZ

First of all, you have to use positive statements which, if agreed, provide for further conversation.
It's pure psychology: imagine you are calling a boss. He's watching videos on Youtube pretending he's working.
Now he picks up the phone and hears "are you busy?"
Agreement is always psychologically easier than trying to convince you that your statement is wrong and that he's in fact looking for your attention.
So he answers "Of course I am. Call me in two hours/on the next week/never call me, I'm always busy" even though he could easily handle your issue whatever it was you were calling to talk about.

Pay attention, positive statements. If you ask "Вы не могли бы... " you can hear: "нет, не мог бы...".

So memorize that you have to ask questions the following way:

- Добрый вечер, Иван Петрович.
(Добрый вечер, господин Иванов sounds way too official, though may be used sometimes)
- Вам удобно сейчас разговаривать?
or
- Можете уделить мне несколько/пару минут вашего времени?

Sample dialog:
- Добрый вечер, Иван Петрович.
- Добрый вечер.
- Меня зовут Антонио, я звоню по поручению господина Бьёрна из Мехико. Можете уделить (мне) пару минут (на разговор)?
- Нет, сейчас я очень занят, у меня совещание.
- Когда вам (можно) перезвонить?
- Перезвоните через час.
- Спасибо, перезвоню вам через час.

Originally Posted by Medved

First of all, you have to use positive statements which, if agreed, provide for further conversation.
It's pure psychology: imagine you are calling a boss. He's watching videos on Youtube pretending he's working.
Now he picks up the phone and hears "are you busy?"
Agreement is always psychologically easier than trying to convince you that your statement is wrong and that he's in fact looking for your attention.
So he answers "Of course I am. Call me in two hours/on the next week/never call me, I'm always busy" even though he could easily handle your issue whatever it was you were calling to talk about.

Pay attention, positive statements. If you ask "Вы не могли бы... " you can hear: "нет, не мог бы...".

So memorize that you have to ask questions the following way:

- Добрый вечер, Иван Петрович.
(Добрый вечер, господин Иванов sounds way too official, though may be used sometimes)
- Вам удобно сейчас разговаривать?
or
- Можете уделить мне несколько/пару минут вашего времени?

Sample dialog:
- Добрый вечер, Иван Петрович.
- Добрый вечер.
- Меня зовут Антонио, я звоню по поручению господина Бьёрна из Мехико. Можете уделить (мне) пару минут (на разговор)?
- Нет, сейчас я очень занят, у меня совещание.
- Когда вам (можно) перезвонить?
- Перезвоните через час.
- Спасибо, перезвоню вам через час.

Медведь ты один настоящий клад.

Originally Posted by Antonio1986

What do I say when I call a stranger?

"Good afternoon Mr. XCZ"

(I) "Am I disturbing?"
or
"This is the right time to speak with you?"
or
"Are you occupied? Do you want me to call you later?"


or
Any other viarant you russians used when you do phone-calls to strangers.

(II) I am speaking on behalf of Mr. UYZ

I. Добрый день, вас беспокоит Владимир Иванов. У вас найдется минута свободного времени?
(Мы можем поговорить? Это не займет много времени) - say this even if is not true and will take some time

II. Я говорю от имени Бориса Николаевича.

P.S. Never, never use any mr\comrade\товарищ\гражданин. There is simply no appropriate verbal honorifics these days. Sometimes "господин" may be used, though.

P.P.S. Check http://masterrussian.net/f21/%D0%BD%...3%D0%B5-21792/

господин is okay with names of foreigners, it sounds natural. Господин/госпожа doesn't sound natural in regard with russians probably because it hasn't been that long since everyone here were comrades and most of us still haven't built up our minds for the transition from товарищ to господин.