Please leave a message after t--*Click*

I almost always leave messages, mostly because I hate not getting them. I mean, if I see 'Mom' or 'Dad' in my missed calls and they don't leave a message, that's cool, I'll call them back. But like a couple people have pointed out I HATE getting a call from some number that I dont recognize, and no message being left. It drives me nuts, because then I'm like "Who was it? Someone important? Do I call back? What if it was just a wrong number?" I dont like that awkward "Yeah... I dialed a wrong number." "... oh. Ok."

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Temari

I dont like that awkward "Yeah... I dialed a wrong number." "... oh. Ok."

So, what, you would rather they leave a message detailing how it was a wrong number?

Okay, so yeah, there are times that, say, a friend calls me from her friend's phone because hers is dead, or somebody gets a new cell number and calls me to let me know this is what it is. But I guess to me it's just another unspoken rule that that's one of those rare cases where you DO leave a message if I don't pick up. And interestingly enough, that's the only time people do leave me messages. Except my family, who insist on leaving messages for the most asinine things.

"Hey, Elijah, um... hi... I uhh... was just wondering... <something incoherent> guitar hero... ummmm... so... call me back... or something. <Something else incoherent> bye."
beep boop
ring ring ring ring
"Hello?"
"What do you want?"
"I want to play your guitar hero."
"You could've just SAID THAT."

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I don't bother with leaving messages. If I call anyone at all it's because I'm trying to get hold of them quickly and if they don't answer then they're obviously not available.

One thing I've learned about making messages on your answerphone is that they should always be serious. I discovered this after I got a call from a prospective employer who left a message on my mobile. I'd recorded a drunken message. I'm damn lucky I was even considered for the job after that.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Wait, you called someone whose resume you had in your possession and asked them to call you back because you wanted to hire them when you were drunk?

Did I read that right?

I was speaking idiomatically.

If it's on the home phone, then I don't like when people leave messages since I can just check the call history to see if you called. I'll call back since I have the number on hand, and if you call more than once to check, then I'll definitely return the call. Otherwise, there's no need to leave a message saying "just called to chat," much like I hate IMs that are merely out of boredom.

I really just hate hearing a click or hangup after the recorded message because if you're going to bother to listen to the message then at least leave something substantial. It's sort of a false hope that there's something important in the inbox.

If it's on my cell phone, I actually want you to leave a message since I was most likely in class and voicemail isn't free unlike for our home phone, so might as well use it.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by sprouticus

I don't have much of a problem with leaving or receiving messages, my only peeve is when people whose numbers I don't have don't leave me a message telling me who the hell they are.

I agree.

But, my attitude about people who don't leave messages: "Must not have been important, then."

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Leknaat

I agree.

But, my attitude about people who don't leave messages: "Must not have been important, then."

I like the way you think. I think I'm going to adopt that attitude you have, and if anyone gets pissed off on why I haven't returned any of their calls, I'll just say it must not have been important if you didn't leave a message. I might have to tweak and modify it a bit at work though, don't want to get fired for not getting back to a client or something, but I'll see how far I can stretch it without getting into trouble.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I don't leave messages unless it's something important or I need an urgent reply from the person I'm calling. Otherwise, what's the point, right? Most people don't even listen to the messages, they just look at their missed calls and call back.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Leknaat

But, my attitude about people who don't leave messages: "Must not have been important, then."

Yeah, I share this sentiment. If someone whom I don't know calls me but doesn't leave a message, I'm not going to call back. If it's really important, they'll either call again or take ten seconds to identify themselves so I know to get in touch. Otherwise, oh well.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I haven't figured out how to get the voicemail working on my phone yet. It's pretty wierd. But I prefer for people to leave messages. On my homephone I get calls from numbers I don't recognize, and they just leave a click. I have no clue who they are, or why I should phone them back. Also if a friend leaves a click, I don't tend to phone them back. because if it was important enough that I need to call them back, they should leave a message.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Since I only have a cell phone and my phone already tells me if someone I know called I don't really expect a message nor do I really listen to them, I just call them back and just ask.

I don't ever leave voice mails because for the most part my friends do the same thing to me, I'll leave this nice little message for them only to have them call back and make me regurgitate what I've said before. So I've found it rather pointless to leave messages, emergencies and very important messages being exceptions of course.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Matt

Wait, you called someone whose resume you had in your possession and asked them to call you back because you wanted to hire them when you were drunk?

Did I read that right?

I meant employer >.> They called my mobile, which I didn't get to in time and as such had to listen to a recording of me off my tits before they could leave a message. I got the job anyway though ^_^;

Most amazing jew boots

I hate it when people call and don't leave messages. If the answering machine has begun doing it's thing, you've paid for the call and may as well make the most of it. If you don't leave a message, how do you expect me to know who you are/when you called/call back??

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

It frustrates me not to know who they were because clearly there was a reason to call in the first place but I don't really mind them hanging up. Some people are just uncomfortable talking into nothing with no cues or a time limit and they ramble on forever. I used to be that way so I'd never leave a message but I always hung up before the beep.

FELIPE NO

Depends on the circumstances, but I'll usually leave messages, whether they be serious or just something random like saying "ghost," pausing for about 15 seconds, and going *PFFFFT* (usually warrants a callback). With most people I communicate with though, e/gmail works best.

I, on the other hand, will sometimes miss checking voicemail messages. >_> I'd usually just call the person back and ask what they wanted (if the call was not too long ago).

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I only bother listening to my voicemails because it's free. If it's important they'll call back.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I don't bother leaving messages unless its really important. And for the most part, I hate checking my voicemail, so I would prefer that no one leave me a message. Though, I usually do call back if someone calls me if I miss the call. I don't really make it a big of a deal. Leave me a message or not, I don't care.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Yeah, I'm totally guilty of this. I figure, everyone has caller ID. I call someone, they don't pick up, they'll see my name and call me back.

The only time I leave messages is with doctor's offices or businesses, but not usually with friends of family.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Interesting to see all the responses that aren't in favor of leaving messages, or people having a hard time communicating what they need in a clear and concise manner. I would chalk up all this social retardation to how detached society has become in general, what with all the new technology that has risen up in this generation. Most of the interaction people have with one another is with their digital self, and hell, people don't even need to leave their house for anything anymore. I even remember seeing on TV about this company in New York that lets you shop for groceries online, and the people will deliver it to your house.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?