I primarily use callerid just to determine whether I’ll actually answer or not.
And so, except for if it’s the wife calling, I just say, “Hello.”
If you’re calling a friend from another friend’s phone, and then the recipient says hello to that person, then you have to explain who you are, and laugh uncomfortably, before moving on. A simple “hello” is expected and easily dealt with. It’s comfortable to both caller and recipient.
I find some small comfort in using other old telephone paradigms, too. Another good example of where the old way was better is exemplified with hands-free bluetooth headsets.
Someone walking around talking “to the air” on one of those things freaks people out. It’s jarring. However, simply holding a phone up to your ear and having the same conversation in the same place is, in my opinion, more comforting to those around you.
I use a bluetooth, but I have at times also held the handset up to my other ear during the call just so it’s obvious I’m talking on the phone and not ranting at invisible people.