Dear Kate,
My friend and I are going to visit New York at the same time but we are staying at different hotels. I am supposed to call her hotel when I arrive, but I not sure what to say. When I call, is it better to say "Is Yoko Takahashi there" (my friend name) or "I want to speak to room 525?"
Mayu, Tokyo, Japan
Dear Mayu,
If you know your friends room number, then it's best to say "Can you connect me to room #525, please?" The hotel representative will most likely ask you for the guest's name to confirm that you know her.
Best, Kate