Latest news with #Bronte
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Grief and secrets resurface in new Jane Harper adaption on Netflix
The further south along the east Australian coast, the darker, denser and twistier the trees and plants become. The arcing wide beaches of the Pacific shore to the north are fewer and further between, replaced by small, closeted coves. It makes an ideal location for a murder mystery that explores the people who have chosen to make their lives there, and the visitors it receives. The natural setting here suggests a labyrinth of secrets to unravel. The latest page-to-screen adaptation from crime novelist Jane Harper is set on the gorgeous coast of Tasmania, from which, as we now expect in her work, the human drama she portrays draws meaning. The landscape analogy doesn't always work. Beautiful as they were, the Otways and Dandenongs locations as clue to meaning in Force of Nature didn't work as effectively as locations they did in The Dry, the author's immensely popular first book. Landscape as character has become a clichéd term for how the Australian films set in our sprawling outdoor spaces deliver. The British outsider perspective that best-selling and award-winning author Harper brings to her Australian home may just enhance this attribute. Like The Dry, The Survivors concerns a homecoming. It was long ago when Kieran (Charlie Vickers) moved away from Evelyn Bay, the fictional name of his hometown in Tasmania, but not quite long enough to put a safe distance between him and the tragedy that occurred at that time during a wild storm. As he and his partner Mia (Yerin Ha), also a former local, rapidly discover 15 years later. Despite the joys of having a baby daughter, the hurt, injured and confused feelings within families and the community rise to the surface as a sombre anniversary of young lives lost approaches. The deaths that Kieran seems somehow responsible for, that of his brother and family friend Toby, are to be marked with a memorial clubhouse and a game of Aussie Rules. The two young men died when they attempted to rescue Kieran near treacherous rocks when their boat was overturned during the storm. The event coincided with the unexplained disappearance of a local 14-year-old girl. The body of Gabby (Eloise Rothfield), who is seen in flashback, was never found. The mystery has captured the investigative spirit of visitor to town, Bronte (Shannon Berry), a bold and assertive young woman. When Bronte's body is found on the beach, the police arrive to conduct an investigation that implicates several suspects. Intensity of feeling focuses on Kieran. "You come back here and all this happens," says an old friend accusingly. Another old friend, Olivia (Jessica De Gouw), is grateful for Kieran's support though it takes a while to understand why. Moreover, gentle Kieran is unfairly put upon by his mum (Robyn Malcolm as feisty as ever) who claims that she is a natural mother of sons. She has punished Kieran over the loss of his brother by withdrawing her love. His father Brian (Damien Garvey) is battling Alzheimers. While the passing of time has not brought closure, it has seen a shift in community attitudes. The lively, thoughtful writing maintained across the episodes touches on many things that were acceptable once, but have in recent times become unacceptable. Were the young men on the boat who drowned "heroes or pedos"? What is acceptable male behaviour attracts a laser focus, while other issues crop up as well. Like distrust of outsiders, the perils of a lack of impartiality in police investigations, and the number of unsolved disappearances of women and girls. Despite the critique of masculine attitudes and behaviour, the through-line is relatively even-handed, nonetheless. We return at regular intervals to the rugged headlands outside Evelyn Bay. Battlements of striated cliffs with deep caves that could prove deadly to those who don't keep on eye on the changing tides. They also hold dark secrets that are, until the closing moments of this stylish and engrossing drama, tightly held. The further south along the east Australian coast, the darker, denser and twistier the trees and plants become. The arcing wide beaches of the Pacific shore to the north are fewer and further between, replaced by small, closeted coves. It makes an ideal location for a murder mystery that explores the people who have chosen to make their lives there, and the visitors it receives. The natural setting here suggests a labyrinth of secrets to unravel. The latest page-to-screen adaptation from crime novelist Jane Harper is set on the gorgeous coast of Tasmania, from which, as we now expect in her work, the human drama she portrays draws meaning. The landscape analogy doesn't always work. Beautiful as they were, the Otways and Dandenongs locations as clue to meaning in Force of Nature didn't work as effectively as locations they did in The Dry, the author's immensely popular first book. Landscape as character has become a clichéd term for how the Australian films set in our sprawling outdoor spaces deliver. The British outsider perspective that best-selling and award-winning author Harper brings to her Australian home may just enhance this attribute. Like The Dry, The Survivors concerns a homecoming. It was long ago when Kieran (Charlie Vickers) moved away from Evelyn Bay, the fictional name of his hometown in Tasmania, but not quite long enough to put a safe distance between him and the tragedy that occurred at that time during a wild storm. As he and his partner Mia (Yerin Ha), also a former local, rapidly discover 15 years later. Despite the joys of having a baby daughter, the hurt, injured and confused feelings within families and the community rise to the surface as a sombre anniversary of young lives lost approaches. The deaths that Kieran seems somehow responsible for, that of his brother and family friend Toby, are to be marked with a memorial clubhouse and a game of Aussie Rules. The two young men died when they attempted to rescue Kieran near treacherous rocks when their boat was overturned during the storm. The event coincided with the unexplained disappearance of a local 14-year-old girl. The body of Gabby (Eloise Rothfield), who is seen in flashback, was never found. The mystery has captured the investigative spirit of visitor to town, Bronte (Shannon Berry), a bold and assertive young woman. When Bronte's body is found on the beach, the police arrive to conduct an investigation that implicates several suspects. Intensity of feeling focuses on Kieran. "You come back here and all this happens," says an old friend accusingly. Another old friend, Olivia (Jessica De Gouw), is grateful for Kieran's support though it takes a while to understand why. Moreover, gentle Kieran is unfairly put upon by his mum (Robyn Malcolm as feisty as ever) who claims that she is a natural mother of sons. She has punished Kieran over the loss of his brother by withdrawing her love. His father Brian (Damien Garvey) is battling Alzheimers. While the passing of time has not brought closure, it has seen a shift in community attitudes. The lively, thoughtful writing maintained across the episodes touches on many things that were acceptable once, but have in recent times become unacceptable. Were the young men on the boat who drowned "heroes or pedos"? What is acceptable male behaviour attracts a laser focus, while other issues crop up as well. Like distrust of outsiders, the perils of a lack of impartiality in police investigations, and the number of unsolved disappearances of women and girls. Despite the critique of masculine attitudes and behaviour, the through-line is relatively even-handed, nonetheless. We return at regular intervals to the rugged headlands outside Evelyn Bay. Battlements of striated cliffs with deep caves that could prove deadly to those who don't keep on eye on the changing tides. They also hold dark secrets that are, until the closing moments of this stylish and engrossing drama, tightly held. The further south along the east Australian coast, the darker, denser and twistier the trees and plants become. The arcing wide beaches of the Pacific shore to the north are fewer and further between, replaced by small, closeted coves. It makes an ideal location for a murder mystery that explores the people who have chosen to make their lives there, and the visitors it receives. The natural setting here suggests a labyrinth of secrets to unravel. The latest page-to-screen adaptation from crime novelist Jane Harper is set on the gorgeous coast of Tasmania, from which, as we now expect in her work, the human drama she portrays draws meaning. The landscape analogy doesn't always work. Beautiful as they were, the Otways and Dandenongs locations as clue to meaning in Force of Nature didn't work as effectively as locations they did in The Dry, the author's immensely popular first book. Landscape as character has become a clichéd term for how the Australian films set in our sprawling outdoor spaces deliver. The British outsider perspective that best-selling and award-winning author Harper brings to her Australian home may just enhance this attribute. Like The Dry, The Survivors concerns a homecoming. It was long ago when Kieran (Charlie Vickers) moved away from Evelyn Bay, the fictional name of his hometown in Tasmania, but not quite long enough to put a safe distance between him and the tragedy that occurred at that time during a wild storm. As he and his partner Mia (Yerin Ha), also a former local, rapidly discover 15 years later. Despite the joys of having a baby daughter, the hurt, injured and confused feelings within families and the community rise to the surface as a sombre anniversary of young lives lost approaches. The deaths that Kieran seems somehow responsible for, that of his brother and family friend Toby, are to be marked with a memorial clubhouse and a game of Aussie Rules. The two young men died when they attempted to rescue Kieran near treacherous rocks when their boat was overturned during the storm. The event coincided with the unexplained disappearance of a local 14-year-old girl. The body of Gabby (Eloise Rothfield), who is seen in flashback, was never found. The mystery has captured the investigative spirit of visitor to town, Bronte (Shannon Berry), a bold and assertive young woman. When Bronte's body is found on the beach, the police arrive to conduct an investigation that implicates several suspects. Intensity of feeling focuses on Kieran. "You come back here and all this happens," says an old friend accusingly. Another old friend, Olivia (Jessica De Gouw), is grateful for Kieran's support though it takes a while to understand why. Moreover, gentle Kieran is unfairly put upon by his mum (Robyn Malcolm as feisty as ever) who claims that she is a natural mother of sons. She has punished Kieran over the loss of his brother by withdrawing her love. His father Brian (Damien Garvey) is battling Alzheimers. While the passing of time has not brought closure, it has seen a shift in community attitudes. The lively, thoughtful writing maintained across the episodes touches on many things that were acceptable once, but have in recent times become unacceptable. Were the young men on the boat who drowned "heroes or pedos"? What is acceptable male behaviour attracts a laser focus, while other issues crop up as well. Like distrust of outsiders, the perils of a lack of impartiality in police investigations, and the number of unsolved disappearances of women and girls. Despite the critique of masculine attitudes and behaviour, the through-line is relatively even-handed, nonetheless. We return at regular intervals to the rugged headlands outside Evelyn Bay. Battlements of striated cliffs with deep caves that could prove deadly to those who don't keep on eye on the changing tides. They also hold dark secrets that are, until the closing moments of this stylish and engrossing drama, tightly held. The further south along the east Australian coast, the darker, denser and twistier the trees and plants become. The arcing wide beaches of the Pacific shore to the north are fewer and further between, replaced by small, closeted coves. It makes an ideal location for a murder mystery that explores the people who have chosen to make their lives there, and the visitors it receives. The natural setting here suggests a labyrinth of secrets to unravel. The latest page-to-screen adaptation from crime novelist Jane Harper is set on the gorgeous coast of Tasmania, from which, as we now expect in her work, the human drama she portrays draws meaning. The landscape analogy doesn't always work. Beautiful as they were, the Otways and Dandenongs locations as clue to meaning in Force of Nature didn't work as effectively as locations they did in The Dry, the author's immensely popular first book. Landscape as character has become a clichéd term for how the Australian films set in our sprawling outdoor spaces deliver. The British outsider perspective that best-selling and award-winning author Harper brings to her Australian home may just enhance this attribute. Like The Dry, The Survivors concerns a homecoming. It was long ago when Kieran (Charlie Vickers) moved away from Evelyn Bay, the fictional name of his hometown in Tasmania, but not quite long enough to put a safe distance between him and the tragedy that occurred at that time during a wild storm. As he and his partner Mia (Yerin Ha), also a former local, rapidly discover 15 years later. Despite the joys of having a baby daughter, the hurt, injured and confused feelings within families and the community rise to the surface as a sombre anniversary of young lives lost approaches. The deaths that Kieran seems somehow responsible for, that of his brother and family friend Toby, are to be marked with a memorial clubhouse and a game of Aussie Rules. The two young men died when they attempted to rescue Kieran near treacherous rocks when their boat was overturned during the storm. The event coincided with the unexplained disappearance of a local 14-year-old girl. The body of Gabby (Eloise Rothfield), who is seen in flashback, was never found. The mystery has captured the investigative spirit of visitor to town, Bronte (Shannon Berry), a bold and assertive young woman. When Bronte's body is found on the beach, the police arrive to conduct an investigation that implicates several suspects. Intensity of feeling focuses on Kieran. "You come back here and all this happens," says an old friend accusingly. Another old friend, Olivia (Jessica De Gouw), is grateful for Kieran's support though it takes a while to understand why. Moreover, gentle Kieran is unfairly put upon by his mum (Robyn Malcolm as feisty as ever) who claims that she is a natural mother of sons. She has punished Kieran over the loss of his brother by withdrawing her love. His father Brian (Damien Garvey) is battling Alzheimers. While the passing of time has not brought closure, it has seen a shift in community attitudes. The lively, thoughtful writing maintained across the episodes touches on many things that were acceptable once, but have in recent times become unacceptable. Were the young men on the boat who drowned "heroes or pedos"? What is acceptable male behaviour attracts a laser focus, while other issues crop up as well. Like distrust of outsiders, the perils of a lack of impartiality in police investigations, and the number of unsolved disappearances of women and girls. Despite the critique of masculine attitudes and behaviour, the through-line is relatively even-handed, nonetheless. We return at regular intervals to the rugged headlands outside Evelyn Bay. Battlements of striated cliffs with deep caves that could prove deadly to those who don't keep on eye on the changing tides. They also hold dark secrets that are, until the closing moments of this stylish and engrossing drama, tightly held.
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
You're NOT a typical working mum, Meghan – you've got a nanny & it's so grating when you whine, expert slams
MEGHAN Markle has been slammed by a royal expert for whining about being a typical working mum despite having a nanny. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, admitted in April she had an "amazing" nanny who had helped her look after Prince Archie, aged six, and Princess Lilibet, aged three, for the past five years. 3 Meghan Markle has been slammed for 'overusing' examples of the difficulties of being a mum, despite having a nanny 3 The Duchess of Sussex admitted in April she had an 'amazing' nanny who had helped out the family for the past five years Credit: YouTube 3 Meghan said previously her life of 'juggling' working and being a mum was 'incredibly overwhelming' Credit: Instagram/meghan However, an expert has slammed the mum-of-two for "going on and on" about her life as a working mum, despite her "great privilege" giving her access to helpful resources that much of the rest of the world "cannot afford". Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive Show, Royal Correspondent Bronte Coy said she was "frustrated" by Meghan for "overusing" the examples of her motherly responsibilities. The expert explained: "I have a son, but when I hear people from positions of great privilege - where they can afford nannies and a lot of help - go on and on and on about the working mum thing, it's not the same. "Yes, it's time away from your kid - I definitely understand that aspect - but it's not the same as the working mum idea that a lot of the rest of the world has to deal with. "And so she really leaned into that a lot, and I think, well, is this a struggle that you have a lot?" Bronte added: "You do have help. And also you are at home a lot." "I find that a little bit grating." Meghan had admitted in an appearance on The Jamie Kern Lima Show in April that her nanny would step in to help take her children to school. Her admission came just weeks after the Duchess of Sussex said she felt the "juggling" of working and being a mum was "incredibly overwhelming", adding: "Oh my gosh, I just need a break." Adding to Bronte's points, broadcaster and writer Esther Krakue said Meghan was trying "to be this thing that she's clearly not", in relation to her "influencer" status. There's nothing much left of 'erratic' Harry in terms of a man, he's just watching Meghan crack on Esther explained: "I don't even want to feel like we're beating down on everything she does - I genuinely wish her all the success. "But I feel sad that she feels the need to be this thing that she's clearly not. She's not a chemist. She's not a physicist." "But that's fine - sometimes it's OK to just be pretty and to have good fortune in life and to ride that wave." In response, Bronte added that she felt Meghan would be best suited to returning to her lifestyle space, which "she clearly loves." The expert added: "I think that she, I was always hopeful when she leaned into the lifestyle space, clearly she loves that. "I thought maybe we're going to see a more relaxed, casual, real Meghan - I really had hoped that would work - I thought that was going to be a good idea for her. "I have been disappointed by the output, however. "I think it's just not quite landed for a lot of people, particularly now the show is wrapped up." This comes as the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix cooking show was slammed by an expert for not "being entertaining or informative". Esther Krakue questioned the point of the eight-part series With Love, Meghan, which saw the duchess hosting celeb pals such as Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer. The Netflix series saw Meghan making guest baskets, beeswax candles, and a single skillet spaghetti, filmed at a farmhouse near her £12million Montecito mansion. Esther shared: 'There's nothing there. 'She's very, like - I'm not saying this to be horrible - she is not an entertainer or an entertaining person. 'There's not much personality there. 'I never learn anything from her. I love lifestyle shows. I watch them every day. I don't learn anything. I didn't learn anything from hers. And she's just not entertaining. 'She's not a fun person to be around. 'You don't think this is the person I want to go to the pub with to have a pint with. 'It's very clear that she is not box office in terms of entertainment quality.'
The Irish Sun
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
You're NOT a typical working mum, Meghan – you've got a nanny & it's so grating when you whine, expert slams
MEGHAN Markle has been slammed by a royal expert for whining about being a typical working mum despite having a nanny. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, admitted in April she had an 3 Meghan Markle has been slammed for 'overusing' examples of the difficulties of being a mum, despite having a nanny 3 The Duchess of Sussex admitted in April she had an 'amazing' nanny who had helped out the family for the past five years Credit: YouTube 3 Meghan said previously her life of 'juggling' working and being a mum was 'incredibly overwhelming' Credit: Instagram/meghan However, an expert has slammed the mum-of-two for "going on and on" about her life as a working mum, despite her "great privilege" giving her access to helpful resources that much of the rest of the world "cannot afford". Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive Show, Royal Correspondent Bronte Coy said she was "frustrated" by Meghan for "overusing" the examples of her The expert explained: "I have a son, but when I hear people from positions of great privilege - where they can afford nannies and a lot of help - go on and on and on about the working mum thing, it's not the same. "Yes, it's time away from your kid - I definitely understand that aspect - but it's not the same as the working mum idea that a lot of the rest of the world has to deal with. Read More on Royals "And so she really leaned into that a lot, and I think, well, is this a struggle that you have a lot?" Bronte added: "You do have help. And also you are at home a lot." "I find that a little bit grating." Meghan had admitted in an Most read in Royals Her admission came just weeks after the Duchess of Sussex said she felt the " Adding to Bronte's points, broadcaster and writer Esther Krakue said Meghan was trying "to be this thing that she's clearly not", in relation to her There's nothing much left of 'erratic' Harry in terms of a man, he's just watching Meghan crack on Esther explained: "I don't even want to feel like we're beating down on everything she does - I genuinely wish her all the success. "But I feel sad that she feels the need to be this thing that she's clearly not. She's not a chemist. She's not a physicist." "But that's fine - sometimes it's OK to just be pretty and to have In response, Bronte added that she felt Meghan would be best suited to returning to her lifestyle space, which "she clearly loves." The expert added: "I think that she, I was always hopeful when she leaned into the lifestyle space, clearly she loves that. "I thought maybe we're going to see a more relaxed, casual, real Meghan - I really had hoped that would work - I thought that was going to be a good idea for her. "I have been disappointed by the output, however. "I think it's just not quite landed for a lot of people, particularly now the show is wrapped up." There's nothing left of the man that was Harry, he's erratic and just watching Meghan crack on, expert says Prince Harry is nothing but a The Duke of Sussex also appears to be "erratic" in his behaviour, given his latest , which clashed with , the expert added. All of this comes while his wife Meghan has engaged in a Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive Show, broadcaster and writer Esther Krakue said Harry's visit to China for his sustainable travel charity She said: "If you think about it critically, what else does he [Harry] have left? "I mean, he's "He's no longer a working royal, [and while] he has his other charity work with the Invictus Games, his involvement is not as in-depth because it's every few years. "This [Travalyst] is really all he has left." Esther added that Meghan's continued success meant She continued: "It kind of feels like [this] because there's nothing left. "He's just watching Meghan go from experiment to experiment, you know, taking his kids to school and dropping them off - but really, there isn't much there in terms of the man. "What is the man about?" This comes as the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix cooking show was slammed by an expert for Esther Krakue questioned the point of the eight-part series which saw the duchess hosting celeb pals such as and Abigail Spencer. The Netflix series saw Meghan making guest baskets, beeswax candles, and a single skillet spaghetti, filmed at a farmhouse near her Esther shared: 'There's nothing there. 'She's very, like - I'm not saying this to be horrible - she is not an entertainer or an entertaining person. 'There's not much personality there. 'I never learn anything from her. I love lifestyle shows. I watch them every day. I don't learn anything. I didn't learn anything from hers. And she's just not entertaining. 'She's not a fun person to be around. 'You don't think this is the person I want to go to the pub with to have a pint with. 'It's very clear that she is not box office in terms of entertainment quality.'
Perth Now
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Madeline Brewer branded 'ugly' by cruel You fans
Madeline Brewer was stunned when 'You' fans branded her 'ugly'. The 33-year-old actress – who portrayed Louise Flannery aka Bronte in the fifth and final season of the Netflix thriller series – has hit out at the 'amount of misogyny' she experienced when she played the love interest of lead character Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley). She told People magazine: "I'll be honest, I didn't expect people to like Bronte, but I didn't expect them to call me ugly, because I'm not. "I get that I'm not everybody's cup of tea, but I'm not ugly. "I had thought that the largest fan base of this show is women, young women, and I never anticipated the amount of misogyny to be fired at me." However, Madeline is thankful she was older when she received the cruel insults because she's been through therapy after being bullied as a child and was able to brush off the slurs, even though they 'triggered' her. She said: "I feel very grateful that this didn't happen at an earlier time in my life. "If this had happened when I was 25, I would have crumbled because I wasn't in therapy yet. "Being in my 30s, I don't care. I knew I could handle it.' Madeline believes devoted fans of 'You' targeted her because they were upset at her character's role in Joe's downfall. She said: "I think that when people are confronted with that misogyny and that deconstruction of their hero, it makes them upset. "[It] especially p***** them off that it was a woman. It was a woman to do it. And it was also a new woman, and a woman that they might not find attractive. "So all of that to deal with, they can't help but get on their cell phones and comment on my pictures and go, 'Oh, you're so ugly. You look like a goblin.' "And I'm like, 'Girl, lighten up. I'm not ugly.'" Madeline is engaged to cinematographer Jack Thompson-Roylance, and he can always give her a confidence boost if the trolls do get her down. She said: "He just thinks the sun shines out of my butt, and he thinks that I'm the most beautiful woman in the whole world. "He's actually the only opinion that really matters to me."
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Gen Z divided over influencer's phone etiquette: ‘Very polite, but no one else does it'
Ask anyone who isn't Gen Z, and they'll tell you that basic etiquette seems to be a thing of the past. People no longer pick up the phone and instead, just fire off a text, opting for convenience over a human interaction. Then, when they have to actually make a phone call, for a restaurant reservation or to inquire about an item at a shop, it's little wonder many lack the skills to converse with a stranger. A TikTok video has recently highlighted this issue and sparked debate over whether we should introduce ourselves at the beginning of a phone call or just start yapping away. The video that started it all The clip was shared by Bronte Rose, a Sydney-based influencer who describes herself as a 'chronic over-sharer' to her 103K followers. 'When I am calling a restaurant or anywhere, I say, 'Hi, my name is Bronte. I'm just wondering if you have a table for two tonight?'' she explained to her friends in the video. The clip was shared by Bronte Rose, a Sydney-based influencer who describes herself as a 'chronic over-sharer' to her 103k followers. TikTok/@bronterose_ Her friend pushed back, asking if she'd do the same when calling somewhere like JB Hi-Fi. 'Yeah, it's just common courtesy,' Rose insisted. Her friend, clearly surprised, replied, 'Like, it's nice, you're very polite, but I think no one else does it'. 'Second nature' After the video went viral, with people in the comments fiercely divided, Rose explained to that she had no idea 'it was a strange thing to do,' as the behavior is 'second nature' to her. 'I personally like to know who I'm talking to when I pick up the phone. Nine times out of ten, it's also very relevant information,' she said. 'It's something I have always done, and I think it was taught to me as good manners.' But does she think it's rude not to? 'I might ruffle feathers here, as I know lots of people disagree with me, but I do think it's rude,' she admits. 'The person you're ordering a pizza from is human too, and I'll always try to make every interaction a good one'. The internet weighs in 'Bronte is correct and polite,' wrote one person in the comments. Another chimed in, 'Bronte, you are 100% correct. Not enough people know how to communicate on the phone'. 'I personally like to know who I'm talking to when I pick up the phone. Nine times out of ten, it's also very relevant information,' she said. oatawa – A call center worker added, 'I work in a call centre and LOVE when people say their names at the start! It's just polite to let the other person know who they're talking to'. But not everyone agreed. 'Wait, I have NEVER done this,' revealed one user. 'Nah, been a receptionist for 10 years and I constantly make fun of people for saying their name … like why do I care, just tell me what you need,' another joked. Others said they just launch right into their query: 'I just say, 'Hi, how are you doing?', then proceed to ask my question'. What does an expert think? To settle the debate, spoke with Kate Heussler, a modern etiquette coach, who says the answer isn't black or white. 'Introducing yourself at the start of any call is a must,' she continues, 'especially if it's someone you haven't spoken to before or if the number is unfamiliar. 'It's like knocking on someone's door before you walk in – simple, considerate, and it sets the tone.' Heussler notes that it may even be worthwhile to do a quick intro when talking to people you know. 'If you're calling your best friend, a family member, or someone you speak to daily, diving straight into the conversation is totally fine. It's all about familiarity,' she says. 'But even then, a quick, 'Hey, it's me!' or 'me again' still adds a touch of respect and clarity'. How to introduce yourself When you do find yourself wanting to introduce yourself to a stranger over the phone, she suggests keeping it 'clear, confident and warm'. She advises: 'Lead with your name, a touch of context, and a check-in. Something like, 'Hi, it's (name) – I'm just calling to chat about (topic). Is now a good time?' It shows respect for their schedule and instantly breaks down barriers'. Other common phone call mistakes According to Heussler, other phone call missteps include skipping the check-in ('It's considerate to ask if it's a good time, especially if it's unexpected'), talking too fast or too loudly ('Slowing down just a touch makes you sound confident and clear'), and not being prepared ('Jotting down a few key points beforehand can be a game-changer').
