Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think voice clips should be banned?

171 replies

scegliere · 16/05/2022 22:03

I'm not talking about voicemail. I have nothing against a short message to say that you tried to call, give details on when would be good to call back, etc etc.

I'm talking about the voice clips you can record on Whatsapp, messenger and so on. Maybe it's just my circle, but some of my friends will leave about 10x1 minute voice clips. In order to listen to them, I need to have a quiet, private space, time to listen to them all, and some way to note down everything they've said because by the time I've got to the last one I can't remember what was said in the earlier ones. With a text, you can just read back to make sure you've replied to everything they've said. If you need to reply a little later, you have to relisten to the whole thing again. Voice clips only benefit the sender, not the receiver.

They were a good idea to try out, but now we've seen how insanely annoying they are, it's time for them to be treated as a failed experiment.

OP posts:
Foggydayz · 18/05/2022 23:21

so weird the reaction to some human contact
I find it useful but with certain context
Ideally not drivel to a group, but an important announcement that can't be done on text- a song or a poem.
Or a complicated nuanced argument that could be cold by text but understandable as a message

others do this and i find it helpful
A text would just get lost

BustyLaRoux · 19/05/2022 07:23

I hate them! Lazy.

twinmum2007 · 19/05/2022 08:13

scegliere · 16/05/2022 22:03

I'm not talking about voicemail. I have nothing against a short message to say that you tried to call, give details on when would be good to call back, etc etc.

I'm talking about the voice clips you can record on Whatsapp, messenger and so on. Maybe it's just my circle, but some of my friends will leave about 10x1 minute voice clips. In order to listen to them, I need to have a quiet, private space, time to listen to them all, and some way to note down everything they've said because by the time I've got to the last one I can't remember what was said in the earlier ones. With a text, you can just read back to make sure you've replied to everything they've said. If you need to reply a little later, you have to relisten to the whole thing again. Voice clips only benefit the sender, not the receiver.

They were a good idea to try out, but now we've seen how insanely annoying they are, it's time for them to be treated as a failed experiment.

My teens do this because 'typing takes so looooooooong'. Yet only 'really old boring grown ups leave voice mail message' apparently. Huh?

threatmatrix · 19/05/2022 10:02

I’m so glad I’ve got the type of friends that I could message with “stop sending me those fecking irritating voice clips” and they would just laugh.

LolaJ87 · 19/05/2022 10:14

I love them. Used to enjoy chats with my friends on the phone, but everyone's lives have gotten busier (people working different hours, having kids etc.)

I did initially find them a bit weird but for me now, being able to pop in a wireless earphone and catch up on some gossip from my friends while walking the dog/doing housework/cooking/on the way to work is invaluable! Much more personal than just reading words on a screen all the time. It also means I can share any news with my friends as it should be told, for them to enjoy when it suits them.

CupidStunt22 · 19/05/2022 10:40

Your friends aer annoying so you think something should be banned for everyone?

Could you BE any more self absorbed?

LampLighter414 · 19/05/2022 10:46

In my experience its for people who value their own time more than yours. They witter on whilst watching the TV or walking or something else. There is a sense of entitlement that you have nothing better to do than just sit and listen. If you start sending them back I often find they ignore most of what you say.

steppemum · 19/05/2022 10:47

I don't like them, but the 2 people I know who use them - one is English second language, and so it is much easier for her than writing in English, other is dyslexic and struggles to write messages, they find it stressful, much easier to just record.

So on that basis, no they shoudl not be banned.

Natty13 · 19/05/2022 11:13

Wow I had no idea so many people hated them.

Most of my friends and I start sending them if a text conversation is getting long. Typing is tedious and I personally love hearing my best friend's voice. I wear an airpod and listen.

Recently another friend had a bad argument with her DH on holiday and went out for a walk where she sent me a voice note telling me what happened and asking for advice. Walking and talking into your phone is much nicer than walking and typing and not looking where you are going. Also, typing when you are upset is difficult.

Same with work friends, we will all often just send VNs explaining things that have happened rather than a massive long text. You can listen while you are cooking, cleaning, watching TV or coralling children and I for one much prefer this.

LindaEllen · 19/05/2022 11:16

Oh my god I have a friend who does this on WhatsApp, instead of just typing to me, she'll send me a video of what she wants to say, but then if me and DP are trying to watch tele or something I have to either ignore her or ask him to pause it - which is annoying for both of us.

I don't know why she can't just type, but she gets upset if I open the message and then don't respond to her (because I haven't actually listened to what she's saying).

LauraNicolaides · 19/05/2022 11:46

Natty13 · 19/05/2022 11:13

Wow I had no idea so many people hated them.

Most of my friends and I start sending them if a text conversation is getting long. Typing is tedious and I personally love hearing my best friend's voice. I wear an airpod and listen.

Recently another friend had a bad argument with her DH on holiday and went out for a walk where she sent me a voice note telling me what happened and asking for advice. Walking and talking into your phone is much nicer than walking and typing and not looking where you are going. Also, typing when you are upset is difficult.

Same with work friends, we will all often just send VNs explaining things that have happened rather than a massive long text. You can listen while you are cooking, cleaning, watching TV or coralling children and I for one much prefer this.

Typing is tedious and I personally love hearing my best friend's voice. I wear an airpod and listen.

This may seem radical, ridiculous and borderline sociopathic, but if you look carefully, most devices nowadays have an app called "phone" (or maybe "telephone" or "call").

If you select your friend's name within that app you will be able to have a "telephone call". This is real cutting edge technology, but rather than having to record messages and send them back and forth you can speak to each other "live". It's pretty freaky.

Lots of love,

Alexander Graham Bell xx
Grin

BarbaraofSeville · 19/05/2022 11:51

I know @LauraNicolaides . It's so revolutionary, that the 'young people' will probably start making TikTok videos showing us all their marvellous new discovery any day now.

MardyOldGoth · 19/05/2022 12:42

The only time I've been OK with a voice note is when my yoga teacher sent a guided practice that we could use in our own time via WhatsApp. Otherwise it's a strong no from me.

You're right about culture though. I don't know anyone British who uses them but they seem popular with non-Brits.

Ifeelsuchafool · 19/05/2022 12:46

I do a lot of walking and I use it for people who insist on messaging constantly when I've already told them I'm out for a walk. It's much safer than trying to message and walk. If they don't like it I'm quite happy if they go away!

Hmm1234 · 19/05/2022 13:46

I agree they’re for lazy people who can’t be bothered to type lol

Original poster
scegliere · 19/05/2022 15:25

CupidStunt22 · 19/05/2022 10:40

Your friends aer annoying so you think something should be banned for everyone?

Could you BE any more self absorbed?

Haha obviously I don't actually think they should be "banned". I was exaggerating to make a point :)

OP posts:
Pennox · 19/05/2022 21:35

LampLighter414 · 19/05/2022 10:46

In my experience its for people who value their own time more than yours. They witter on whilst watching the TV or walking or something else. There is a sense of entitlement that you have nothing better to do than just sit and listen. If you start sending them back I often find they ignore most of what you say.

Totally this.

Museumland · 19/05/2022 21:57

Completely agree with you OP. I have a friend who does this and it works fine for her as she dictates them often while she is out and about.....to be honest I just listen to them when it suits me.

Natty13 · 19/05/2022 22:29

LauraNicolaides · 19/05/2022 11:46

Typing is tedious and I personally love hearing my best friend's voice. I wear an airpod and listen.

This may seem radical, ridiculous and borderline sociopathic, but if you look carefully, most devices nowadays have an app called "phone" (or maybe "telephone" or "call").

If you select your friend's name within that app you will be able to have a "telephone call". This is real cutting edge technology, but rather than having to record messages and send them back and forth you can speak to each other "live". It's pretty freaky.

Lots of love,

Alexander Graham Bell xx
Grin

Show quote history

Hi Alex, you are long dead and technology has moved on.

We are busy women who like to listen to a voice note then chop a few veg/boil some pasta/make sure a kid or 2 are doing their homework then send another one back. Can't do that on a phonecall.

Lots of love,

Someone who dgaf what you think of the way I live my life and maintain my friendships ;-)

BarbaraofSeville · 20/05/2022 03:35

Museumland · 19/05/2022 21:57

Completely agree with you OP. I have a friend who does this and it works fine for her as she dictates them often while she is out and about.....to be honest I just listen to them when it suits me.

Which would be never if it was anything more than a couple of minutes of news.

Sounds like some people want the freedom to witter on about not very much without the risk of someone else trying to turn it into an actual two way conversation.

If they do that they can't get upset if people don't listen and miss important news hidden amongst 15 minutes of nonsense.

pixie5121 · 21/05/2022 11:10

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page