The red light blinks like a beacon of doom in a harbor of discontent. To follow its glow is a deadly endeavor, killing your precious time and your fragile soul.
That red flash on your cell or your answering machine that bats on ... and off. On ... and off. "You have a voicemail!!!!" it silently screams. You can ignore it for only a few minutes before you must.make.the.light.stop.blinking. You then rightfully blame whomever has left this forsaken voicemail for your anger and agitation.
Who leaves voicemails anymore? Who? Better question: WHY. Why do people still leave voicemails?
WHY WHY WHY.
And ... why?
There are so many better ways to get in touch. Calling is fine. It's perhaps the way to get in touch, but if the person doesn't pick up, please do not leave a voice message. I guarantee you no one likes them. Gizmodo created a list of when it's appropriate to leave these turds of despair, and I agree with only one of them: if you're trying to let someone know about a family death or birth, a voicemail is OK. But under no other circumstances should it be allowed. Ever!
Speaking from personal experience, you are 1,000 times more likely to get a response to an email or a text than a voicemail. No one wants to dial in their code and listen to the -- crap! I hit the wrong number -- I meant to press 7! I'm pressing 7, why isn't it deleting!!!! I don't want to save I ... god DANG it I hate voicemails.
Let us all join Internet hands here and make a pact. No more voicemails. If you're with me, change your outgoing message to "I kindly do not accept voicemails." It's only a little tricky if you're job hunting, but the right employer will appreciate your scruples. Do you want to work for anyone who's going to leave you voicemails anyway? Didn't think so.
How much do you hate voicemails? Let's hear ... I mean ... read why!
Photo via mangpages/Flickr
Ashley Is a Widow Who Stays Strong...
This Hot Dad Wants to Vacuum Your Rug
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
KStew Refuses to Shower
Comments 13
eh, voicemail helps me decide who i do, or do not want to call back.
i like voicemail. like foxy it helps me choose who i want to call back or not. i cant text my sons teacher 18 times a day, i can leave her a detailed or a short voicemail to ask her to call me back.
If I see that I missed your call and you didn't leave a voicemail, I consider calling you back to be optional. If you text me and it requires more than a one word response, I will call you instead of texting back and if you don't pick up, I'm leaving a voicemail. I'm far more opposed to lengthy text conversations than checking voicemail.
I agree with all three other women. I like voicemail because I can screen my calls without needing to always check my phone to see the caller ID. Also I don't like to text if it's a long conversation.
I don't text.
If you don't want to talk to me, don't call me.
If you want to talk to me, leave a message and I'll call you back.
I hate USELESS voicemails. If someone calls and says "hey its mom call me back" it drives me up a wall! If they actually say "hey i was calling for such and such reason call me back so we can talk about it" i dont mind because I know if its something worth calling back. If you dont leave me a message I will assume its unimportant or i will text to ask whats up. so voicemails are ok as long as there is a point to them. Otherwise i will be tempted to drive to your house and punch you!
I guess I'm the only one who sides with the author...I ABHORE voicemail. My dad leaves one every time he calls and he doesn't have too. I will call you back no matter what. I don't care if its "important" or not, a person too the time out of their day to get a hold of you, the least I could do is return a phone call. But please, don't leave me a voicemail, I hate retrieving them.
Oh, and I love to text, I prefer that method in communicating. Its the easiest for me and usually for everyone else.