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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

“I thought I’d voice note because it’s easier”

179 replies

crabsaremisunderstood · 18/06/2023 20:28

More and more of my friends reply to my texts with a voice note and cite this exact phrase. Yes, it’s easier. But ONLY for the sender, not the recipient! I hate having to speed up the bastard things to get to the point of the message, when I could scan read a text in a matter of seconds.

Also, I don’t mind them when I’ve got a free day and can listen whilst pottering about with housework, but there’s no chance I can listen when I’m at work, so I have to leave them hanging for hours instead of seeing the text and quickly replying.

AIBU?

(light hearted…sort of Wink)

OP posts:
MeridaBrave · 19/06/2023 13:12

I reply with. Sorry I can’t listen now as i’m
at work / in the gym / etc.
I’ll listen later on when I get a spare moment. Hope it’s not too urgent.

MamaBear4ever · 19/06/2023 13:00

These are the same people who teams call you at work instead of emailing you 'thought it was easier to give you a quick call' easier for you not me

megletthesecond · 19/06/2023 10:23

Yanbu. Although I've never received one thank goodness.
If I'm really busy and dashing along I dictate my message to WhatsApp. The voice to text option seems to work pretty well for me.

thecatsthecats · 19/06/2023 10:06

canigetitmyself · 19/06/2023 09:27

It's the same as a VM really

I dont tend to listen to those either

Yeah, and just when we killed the damn things off...

TallulahBetty · 19/06/2023 09:28

I hate them. So self-indulgent. YES I KNOW I can speed them up, but it's still miles slower than me reading the equivalent text!

canigetitmyself · 19/06/2023 09:27

It's the same as a VM really

I dont tend to listen to those either

MrsSkylerWhite · 19/06/2023 09:21

Don’t like them either. Often can’t hear the voice, just background noise

canigetitmyself · 19/06/2023 09:20

Agreed

passioninthisworld · 19/06/2023 09:20

And they are much easier when you're busy

passioninthisworld · 19/06/2023 09:19

I love voice notes. Much prefer them to texts.

BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 19/06/2023 08:43

I have two friends who do this and their voice notes get ignored. I just reply to any text around it.

Isithalfterm · 19/06/2023 08:32

Exactly the same and the same reason I can’t stand video. If it’s written I can skip to what I need or go back and read it again for clarification easily.

lesoignons · 19/06/2023 08:28

Avondale89 · 18/06/2023 21:38

Don’t see the issue. I receive more than I send, but just play them on 1.5/2 speed. It’s also lovely to hear the voices of people who either live abroad, or I haven’t seen for a long time.

Some of the hyperbolic responses on here are bizarre. They’re not really a nightmare, are they? Or do you really lack that much resilience?

I couldn’t agree more - the responses on here are massively ridiculous and whoever said people sending VN’s are entitled really made me laugh at the utter hypocrisy.

People wanting to connect with you in a more meaningful way. Oh god, how dreadful of them! How very dare they😆

VioletCharlotte · 19/06/2023 07:40

I love a voice note! It's nice to hear my friends voices when we haven't got time for a proper chat.

Porridgeislife · 19/06/2023 07:26

Loathe them. With the exception of one lovely friend, for me it’s only the friends who tend towards being disrespectful of other people’s time who insist on sending them.

Two in particular try to set up logistics and dates with them which is the most egregious thing of all - every time I need to check where/when we’re meeting, you expect me to listen to your message again?

I get they’re easier to send but they are not remotely easy to listen to with a young nosy baby!

EBearhug · 19/06/2023 01:47

Not keen, but partner is visually impaired, so it would be harsh of me to complain. To be fair, he usually only sends them when tired, and fed up with having to correct everything that autocorrect mangles when he dictates into his phone.

blueshoes · 19/06/2023 01:00

I don't even listen to voice mail, much less voice notes. Anyone who tries to send me one can fuck off into the deep blue silence.

Natty13 · 19/06/2023 00:44

I know I'm in the minority but I prefer them. I listen with headphones in at work, on my way to the station, while doing housework or cooking, on my say to a hobby (mine or the DCs). I basically feel like I'm on the go all the time - I like a busy life - but for me personally listening to a VN is easier and faster then reading a text.

My best friend has in the last year gone through a huge work issue and a break up and it's all been chronicled in voice notes!

JassyRadlett · 19/06/2023 00:10

The reality is - if I'm in a situation where I am actually able to listen to a voice note in peace, then I am probably listening to something else that I really want to listen to.

Whereas I can respond to a text far more easily and in far more situations.

BluebellBlueballs · 18/06/2023 23:51

I have a friend who leaves a 2 minute voice note to respond to a simple text requiring a yes or no answer

The only saving grace is I can play it at x2 speed to make it s one minute voice note

Valerians · 18/06/2023 23:48

I love them, I live far from most of my friends and our schedules are such that phone calls are difficult. So I love to hear their voices and to hear sometimes long detailed accounts of things that have happened. I usually listen in my car and they keep me company on boring commutes! However none of my friends are needy types and there’s no expectation to listen soon after the message has been sent.

GiveUsACoffee · 18/06/2023 23:34

JassyRadlett · 18/06/2023 21:01

I'm with you. And we're not alone.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cqz0MYxgIEx/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

This is brilliant!!

jessyjo2 · 18/06/2023 23:29

Agree. Or worse still they decide to ring to answer a simple question i asked.
WhatsApp message question = WhatsApp message answer!!!!

ZenNudist · 18/06/2023 23:29

I generally can't listen to them when they arrive e.g. I'm at work or on the bus, then I shelve them to listen to later, then I forget and never listen!

Forshameandyegads · 18/06/2023 23:29

I absolutely hate them.

I always write back saying can't listen to voice notes until this evening. Then don't reply until that night, if at all. My friends have stopped sending them!