Phone grammar (was Re: Grammatical Case (was: that long subject)

[potioncat]

> Magpie:
> Totally random, but everytime I hear phrases like this I remember 
one 
> time years ago when an assistant from a publisher in England was 
> calling to talk to me at my publisher. Now, I don't know what 
anybody 
> else says, or whether it's a regional thing or a national thing or 
> what, but when she called I gave what to me was the standard 
response 
> to identify myself.
> 
> She: May I speak to Sister Magpie, please?
> 
> Me: This is she.
> 
> Only this was totally incomprehensible to her, and my mind shut 
down 
> and refused to give me any alternatives. I have no idea if the 
phrase I 
> used is commonly used and if so, where. It's the only thing I've 
ever 
> said. So since I was sitting there in silence, confused, she said 
again:
> 
> She: May I speak to Sister Magpie, please?
> 
> Me: (more clearly) This is she.
> 
> There followed another awkward pause. Finally she said again:
> 
> She: May I speak to Sister Magpie, please?
> 
> And this time, since my brain still refused to supply me with the 
> proper alternative:
> 
> Me: Hold on, I'll go get her.
> 
> *holds phone in hand for a few seconds, then puts it back to mouth*
> 
> Me: (trying to sound slightly different) This is Sister Magpie.
> 
> She: (thrilled) Hi! This is So and so!
> 
> -m


Potioncat:
I just couldn't snip that story, I was laughing too hard. Is it 
really, really true? I think you should send in to Reader's Digest 
and make some money. (Just be aware, it will put you on their 
outreach list forever.)

"This is she" is what I was taught. Whether it's grammar, or 
etiquette, I couldn't say. (My region would be Southern US, if that 
matters.)