A Ruling on the Voicemail

Voicemail is a time capsule that gets buried, forgotten and dug up by someone annoyed.

We asked around, and the findings match what you suspect. Some people treat the little red badge as decoration. Others leave lengthy messages that begin with the date and end with their full name, as if you might know several Moms.

The ruling

• For friends and family: text first. A voicemail that says call me is merely a missed call with extra steps.
• For offices, doctors and the guy fixing your roof: leave the message. Say your name and number twice, slowly.
• For grandparents: let them leave as many as they want, and save at least one.

That last one is the only opinion on this entire website that we hold without any joke attached. Keep a voicemail from someone you love. Ten years from now, it will be the best thing on your phone.