Why do we say Hello when answering the phone?

Indeed, this is an interesting thought. It is a greeting, after all, and it is something people say to each other to get a conversation started in pretty much any situation (well, sometimes things like "Hi" and "Hey" and "What's up?" are used), but the idea is pretty much the same. I know in some parts of Europe (France and I believe Germany too), they say "Hallo" when answering the phone. As you can see, it basically just looks like a variation of "Hello," which gives you an idea just how widespread it is, and isn't all-together limited to just the English language. But as for why this is the standard greeting that most naturally comes out of anyone when they first pick up the phone, I am really not sure. It's a bit too random of a thought for me to really go out of my way to research it, but it is pretty interesting nonetheless.

One of my trivia books had an interesting tidbit about this: Alexander Graham Bell actually thought "Ahoy!" should be the proper phone greeting. I know a few people who use their full name or last name when answering the phone.

Supposedly, it's because it was the first word Bell said on the phone. In other countries, they say different things. People who think it's just not cool enough make up various things, like a friend of mine whose answer is, "Tell me." I guess we have to say something, so why not hello?

An interesting questions. I know why it's done, it the accepted polite form of acknowledgment over the phone or when greeting someone in person. But I don't know why that word. I know it's different in other languages.

dunno but its an habit that all people have

if i got a phone call from strangers and my lecturers, i will answer them with "hello"... but if the phone calls from my friends i will answer them "yo, whats up bro"... ^^

the reason was this is our cultured when somebody calls in our phone they will say hello for knowing they know it. but some used. YEs may i speak with you. or this is QC residence how can i help you this for sure used for clients for businesses but when in public we used Hello. thanks for posting. happy my lotting.!!