DEAR ABBY: I have caller I.D. on my telephone. A friend jumped on me the other day because he knows that I knew who was calling, and I still answered, "Hello?" rather than saying, "Hi, Steve." Did I do something rude? And what is the proper greeting? -- CRITICIZED IN CONCORD, CALIF.
DEAR CRITICIZED: Hello? Your friend Steve must have been having a bad day and took it out on you because either greeting is acceptable -- and the way you answered your phone is the way it is traditionally done. You were most definitely not rude.