Voice notes are too much

[kumamon]

Prepared to hear it’s just me, but recently one of my WhatsApp groups has become almost 100% voice notes rather than texts. I find it totally overwhelming.

I already found constant links to videos on Facebook/instagram with no context too much, now I have to listen to several 2 min recordings? I just want to read a message and respond in writing.

I’m middle aged, I care about my friends, but I can’t be arsed with this. I honestly feel quite anxious about having to communicate this way. Is it just me?

I believe there is now a way to convert voice notes into text, I don’t know how but hopefully someone will come along who does know.

Not just you! I hate them. I don't listen to them at all.

I used to hate it. I resisted for years. But actually, once you get over the awkwardness of it, it’s actually a lot better. No misunderstandings because of tone, it’s more personal, and I don’t have to stop dinner or put down the baby to respond.
Top tip… speed up to 1.5 or 2x, it will cut down 2min messages to only 1 min!

I agree, it's so conceited to think that you, and what you have to say, is of such importance that someone wants to listen to you drawl on for 3 minutes like it's your own wee podcast

Hate, hate, HATE them. I just find it so arrogant to have someone waffle aimlessly into their phone and expect you to sit and listen to them ramble on. It's not a two way conversation, you just are expected to sit and listen to their brain dump which takes so much longer than reading a simple message.

It's not just you.

Same as PP it took some time but once I embraced it, it was ace!

Agreed. iPhone now thankfully provide transcripts so I just read those.

Totally agree. I don’t mind the odd voice note here and there but all voice notes is too much. I would be removing myself from a group like that or at least putting it on permanent mute and forgetting about it 😅

TBH group WhatsApps in general are a bit much for me. I really don’t think my brain was made to be in constant touch with so many people. I remember having to wait at my local pay phone for phone call and having an actual pen pal. I miss not knowing what my friends were thinking every hour of the day 🫠

Thanks all for the responses, I think I’ve found my tribe! I agree @AugustBabyBags - WhatsApp groups in general can be A LOT.

I also do really appreciate the different perspectives, I’ll try transcripts and listening on 1.5. Thanks for the tips!

I don’t read them. Phone or text me

I hate them. Especially the ones beginning with "So,..." or a wafty "Hi everyone..."
I'm a visual processor so rely on being able to scan and scroll through my messages in order to pinpoint important information. Voice notes rob my conversations of all context.

Yes, totally agree.

My sister leaves long and rambly messages generally when she is in the car on the way somewhere because she has a fabulously busy social life and needs to dictate something to me on the way to another engagement. Fucks me right off.

Completely agree. I wonder if it's an age thing, but the two friends who have recently started sending voice messages on WhatsApp are the same age as me.
This thread just reminded me that I needed to listen to one that was sent on Monday 🙈 I like to view the message and then I can revert back to it easily enough rather than trawling through a voice note.

Oh I love them! Love hearing my friends voices and their 'waffle' and find it much easier than texting when you have a baby!

Hate 'em and won't listen to 'em. Such a waste of time.