this post was submitted on 30 Aug 2023
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[–] Amazed 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

That’s why people leave voicemails… you leave a verbal note of why you’re calling. And if the receiver prefers to read a text about it, several services transcribe voicemails automatically good enough to get the general gist. Or they can listen to them.

The point is that people usually don’t set out to ruin your day or misbehave, and you cannot control other people’s experience, expectations and preferences, only your own. So it’s on you to know yourself well enough to manage your boundaries appropriately with technology/tools, and possibly communication, and not to blame other people for “missteps”. When what they are doing is likely perfectly within the realm of reason to them.

Especially if they have a disability and calls are easier for them. If you have the disability, you can communicate your preferences but don’t expect people to know immediately. Set up your tech accordingly to communicate your needs. And acclimate where you can.

If things “escalate”.. well… it’s likely your fault. We always need to look at our part first.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Nothing good ever came out of a voicemail I received. Disabled and wont enable again. Text me if it's important enough for me to call back with a brief topic. I don't call back if I don't get a text, that's reserved for maybe 5 people on earth.

[–] Amazed 4 points 1 year ago

Great. That’s your boundary. Sounds like you have disabled them permanently. I’m saying that people should use tools, and communication when necessary, to exercise their own boundaries, like you, rather than make meanings or assumptions, or expect others to be mindreaders.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

And if the receiver prefers to read a text about it, several services transcribe voicemails automatically good enough to get the general gist.

I use these. But they're less direct and easier to misunderstand than if it was native text. If someone wants to say it, they can voice type as well.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I actually agree with you on that one. I hate voicemail. If I don't pick up, shoot me a text or send a voice recording through the messaging app.

[–] Amazed 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Absolutely. Also hit and miss accuracy wise and can turn out to be an essay, but definitely an option.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't even get how voicemail works, last time I checked there was like 6 "unread" voicemails from months ago I never knew I'd gotten and it was just my mom saying "please call me back" or some inaudible noise and figuring out how to delete them is a pain too.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That sounds like something pretty heavily in the "you problem" zone. If it's going to be acceptable to look down on folks who don't understand stuff like chat apps, not understanding voicemail is still "oh god i am not good with technology how did i get here"

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I'm just saying voicemail was badly designed because it's old and it's never optimised since forever. I don't see why anyone would still use it at this point but here we are