Call me...

I just read an article regarding "bad voice-mail etiquette". The article focused on people who leave rambling "way too long" messages, or who don't identify themselves and merely say; "Call me..."

The article asked the question; "when did we lose control of voice-mail"? I think the writer was really off the mark.

I for one am very conscious about not leaving long rambling messages, and have always tried to leave quick, informative messages with a clearly stated number to call. I have found however that the real issues with voice-mail have less to do with the caller and more with the receiver.

It has become increasingly rare to have someone actually answer their phone ( particularly in the business world, where just the opposite should be the case). This fact alone is frustrating in that the caller is now put into the recipients time-line. If you are leaving a message for someone like me, you will get a call as soon as I hear the message. Unfortunately most people either take forever and a day to return calls, or they simply don't bother.

So the bigger question isn't one of when did we lose control of voice-mail but rather, when did we become so discourteous as a society that we can't answer a call, return a call, respond to a request, reply to an invitation, say thank you, you're welcome etc.

With all the communication avenues available to us, it has become increasingly difficult to communicate with people. I still hear people say; "I don't check my email very often." That was fine 5 years ago, but today it is like not breathing but once a month. Worse yet, is the stubborn individual who refuses to join the 21st century by saying; " I hate computers, I won't get e-mail." I believe I've seen these folks on a Geico commercial.

Anyhow back to voice-mail... If you have a phone with the capability of accepting voice-mail messages... here is a novel idea; When someone leaves you a message...answer it. Even if it is someone you don't want to speak to, have the decency to answer their call and tell them you don't want to speak with them!

If you are as frustrated with this as I am... Call me. We'll talk.