what is the most ethical way of answering the phone?

I would always go formal. I would say "Good Morning, May I know who's on the line?

I think we should just say whatever we want when we pick up the phone, it's not always so important to impress other people. I don't mean that we should say something mean when we pick up the phone, I'm just saying we don't have to use the same greeting that everyone else does.

hello is the standard... well for formal conversations.. i prefer wishing good morning, afternoon...etc..

Hello is a good way to answer the phone

depends on whos calling me always look at the caller id..someone i dont know i always answer with hello..someone i do know and close with i may answer with an inside joke or personal thing between the two of us :)

they said its a waste of tym..tell your name who u are and straight to the point..maybe u can can greetings like "(Name)good morning!"

I always say "hello" no matter what

Depends who's the caller. My family get a "Hallo?" (in Spanish). If it's an unknown number I just answer with "hello?". If it's something relating to work or a corporate call, I'd answer as "Good morning/evening, (my name and last name) speaking" and if it's one of my friends I answer with insults, "What'cha want you poonswiping hussy!" and such. Haha! =)

I think a simple hello would suffice provided it is said politely and courteously. I read somewhere that you should smile while answering the phone because the person at the other end can hear it in your voice. I believe this is true because sometimes when you answer the phone you kind of have an idea the mood the person on the other end is in.