Spelling in english (numbers and letters)

[Cervin]

I've a very easy question about thinks, which are natual for a native speaker.

Its starts with spelling someone you name on the phone, in germany we use
the name alphabet, while using a name for each letter.
e.g. Cäser Emil Richard Viktor Ida Nordpol...
But in english? The Nato alphabet? ( Charlie,Echo,Romeo,Victor, Indea, November)
Or the english name one? (Charles, Edward, Robert, Victor, Isaac, Nellie)
Or is it just the normal spelling? C - E - R - V - I - N
Just wanted to know what a native speaker really does,
and whats more professional on a business call!

Same with (telephone)numers, the german like to fit the number into two-digit packages,
and leave the "0" stand alone, if it comes first.
So the numer 02880/4528043 is on phone:
null - achtundzwanig - achtzig - fünfundvierzig - achtundzwazig - null - dreiundvierzig
As far i know, the english would spell it digit by digit.
so: zero - two- eight - eight - zero - four - five - two...
Is that right?
Do they really say "zero" for "null" while spelling a phone number?
I was toled in school (some years ago now ^^) that its an "oh" when you are spellig it.
so it would be:
oh - two - eight - eight - oh - ...
Last one:
the eight-eight - its okay/professional to say "double eight" or better "eight eight" ?

Thank you

[Deccius]

Or is it just the normal spelling? C - E - R - V - I - N
Just wanted to know what a native speaker really does,
and whats more professional on a business call!

I would say about 95% of the people I know use the normal letter names of the English alphabet (i.e., a, bee, cee, and so on) to spell out names. A few use the NATO phonetic alphabet, but those who do so are mostly current or former members of the military.

As far i know, the english would spell it digit by digit.
so: zero - two- eight - eight - zero - four - five - two...
Is that right?

Yep.

Do they really say "zero" for "null" while spelling a phone number?
I was told in school (some years ago now ^^) that its an "oh" when you are spellig it.
so it would be:
oh - two - eight - eight - oh - ...

Yes, "oh" and "zero" are nearly interchangeable. However "zero" is probably more accurate and correct to use, because we are talking about the cardinal number 0, not the letter O which might be a source of confusion.

Last one:
the eight-eight - its okay/professional to say "double eight" or better "eight eight" ?

I've personally never heard "double eight" used. I would say "eight eight". Maybe some of our other native speakers can comment on the use of "double eight".

Thank you

You're welcome!

[expat2008]

Last one:
the eight-eight - its okay/professional to say "double eight" or better "eight eight" ?

I've personally never heard "double eight" used. I would say "eight eight". Maybe some of our other native speakers can comment on the use of "double eight".

In Britain double eight is certainly used more often than eight eight - I should know, my telephone number contains three double figures and is unfortunately one digit out from the number of the local hospital, so I hear a lot of people telling me (nearly) my phone number

[Cervin]

Thank you two, that was very helpful for me!

(have to do that neary every day, and was not sure whats really correct.)