When it comes to professional telephone answering, we feel we are top of the class - it's all about being clear and concise whilst engaging the caller - things have moved on a bit since this advice was issued in the August, 1906 Pacific States Telephone & Telegraph Company directory for San Francisco, California . .

How to Answer a Telephone Call:

• Remove the hand telephone from the hook and say "Here is Main 297" (or whatever your number may be).
• The party calling should say "Here is main 298," (or whatever the number may be).
• Much friction and annoyance will be avoided if this simple plan is carried out.

Source : Telephone Tribute