Why do people send voice messages over WhatsApp? Why not just text or call me?

Posted by HorseFacedDipShit@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 810 comments

For the life of me I don’t understand why you’d send someone one! And don’t make the argument that it’s easier than sending a long text. It isn’t. I can’t listen to a two minute recording if I’m out and about without my headphones. I can’t go back and reread something to make sure I understood what you were talking about. I can’t always understand what you’re saying and I can’t ask questions. Just fucking call or text me

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810 Comments

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kappathat@reddit

It’s quicker , you can always re listen, emotions and intent gets lost over text. Talking about certain things is easier into your phone rather than on a call

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Dangerous_Log_8735@reddit

No, it’s quicker for the sender. It’s much slower for the recipient. Rude and selfish.

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NaniFarRoad@reddit

Vnotes are not the place for these kinds of calls - they're not a conversation, they're emotional broadcasting. If you need to have a serious call, text ahead to reserve a time, then call like a normal person.

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Upbeat_Entertainer58@reddit

Use for emergencies ok. A simple text message can transmit a lot of information. Some people unknowingly abuse voice message to capture somebody, make them stop and listen. It can be a way of getting around a persons personal firewall/boundaries. Its a great tool, but should be used with respect to peoples boundaries.

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brutalistcheese@reddit

I find them really helpful. Especially if I'm venting or in a bad sitch- I've just been made homeless due to domestic violence and it feels better to send a voicenote as texts can be a bit emotionless.

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FifthRooter@reddit

5 months later I'm reading this and hope your situation has improved. Sending love and hugs! <3

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brutalistcheese@reddit

Hello! Thank you, that's so kind. Lots of stuff has happened but I'm doing well considering. Working in a decent retail job and everyone is so nice, learning to cycle as well. Not really in contact with my family - still figuring that out but all good otherwise :)

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mentalive@reddit

all of the best to you 💙

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watsee@reddit

I hate people who send voice notes. I'm not always in a position where I can listen to them & also have no idea what you're about to say on them. Just send whatever you're saying in a text instead.

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natalie209@reddit

Because it’s nice to hear your friend’s voice and we don’t always have the same schedule to be able to talk on the phone. I have a friend in France and we send each other voice notes a lot. It works for her really well because she gets to practice listening and speaking English which she doesn’t get to do much now she’s back in France, and can listen to the messages in her own time when she’s not working. It makes complete sense to me

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younevershouldnt@reddit

Get over yourself, some people are different to you.

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masterflex11@reddit

Lol, well said. This sub has become inundated with people like OP that clearly love a moan to help express themselves. "DoN't TeLL mE iT'S bEtTeR tHaN tExT..." when it's by far quicker than text. Got to laugh.

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distantapplause@reddit

It's quicker than text *for the sender*. It's much slower and much more inconvenient for the recipient.

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masterflex11@reddit

No it isn't. That again is your opinion. I put the speed to x2 and listen without needing to look at the screen. There are pros and cons, and in your "opinion" you prefer to read than listen. They doesn't make it *better*.

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distantapplause@reddit

Ah you’re one of those weirdos who goes around screeching ‘tHaT’s yOuR oPiNIoN’ at everyone. Except yourself, whose opinions are stated as fact. Cool cool.

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masterflex11@reddit

So it's weird to not agree with your opinion and instead state an opposing opinion? You do know WhatsApp voice chat is a feature for a good reason, right? And that it exists because people use it? It seems you're one of those unintelligent types.

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distantapplause@reddit

It’s weird to call out other people for having an opinion while doing exactly the same yourself.

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masterflex11@reddit

You're the one pushing your opinion as the only viable option. I simply stated that voice chat has its benefits. Learn the difference.

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distantapplause@reddit

That’s your opinion

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phizzlek@reddit

This whole thread reeks of social awkwardness and an inability to conceive that others think/feel differently.

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masterflex11@reddit

Welcome to the UK subs on Reddit, or most subs for that matter. It's a place for the awkward introverts to congregate to fulfil their social needs.

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20dogs@reddit

Oh but it's such a pain though

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ldf1111@reddit

Why, put the phone to your ear and listen like it’s a phone call

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_DeanRiding@reddit

Every 2 minutes? Just send a text

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20dogs@reddit

Or even do the voice to text thingy!

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_DeanRiding@reddit

Oh yeah that's a much more valid option these days as well

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HorseFacedDipShit@reddit (OP)

No

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survivorkel@reddit

Well, at least your usernames checking out.

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gogoguy5678@reddit

Aha I fucking knew that would be this guy's response!

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Interrogatingthecat@reddit

Wow, didn't know we were all suddenly meant to be clones of you. I await my painful transformation in the middle of the night

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yes_its_my_alt@reddit

Because an unsolicited phone call is an invasion of privacy, and because I want to say what I want to say without having to say hello how are you, every time. I have a friend and we leave each other about 30 voice notes a day for the past 3 years. We have had a real-time conversation one time only. Two way voice notes is the same as a conversation, but I am giving you the option to converse at your convenience, not mine.

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HorseFacedDipShit@reddit (OP)

An unsolicited phone call is absolutely not an invasion of privacy lol.

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yes_its_my_alt@reddit

I think that's for the owner of the privacy to judge.

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HorseFacedDipShit@reddit (OP)

They don’t have to answer.

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yes_its_my_alt@reddit

No, and I never do, which is why my friends know to leave me a VM. Unsolicited calls are therefore always from people I don't want to speak to. I think it's going this way for a lot of people too. Perhaps you are a far more social or less anxious person than many. You could try updating your WhatsApp status to "Still Happy To Receive Calls"!?

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HorseFacedDipShit@reddit (OP)

Just curious but why are phone calls so anxiety producing

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yes_its_my_alt@reddit

In my case, GAD. But broadly speaking I guess a phone call is like a sealed box. What does it contain, bad news? A person in need? An invitation to something I'd rather avoid? A long conversation when I'm about to eat? (etc) With a VM I can pick it up when I'm good and ready to listen, and reply when I'm good and ready to answer.

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SkyNetVPN-dot-global@reddit

I'm autistic, and it helps me get points across that would be otherwise difficult to communicate in a phone call.

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rodrigojds@reddit

It’s very prevalent in Spain. You see people walking on the street with their phones to their mouths saying something and pressing send

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Reasonable-While1212@reddit

Israeli mob do this all the time to me. From everyone else I get a text. Them lads, it's a recording every time. I mean, it gets awkward, depending where you are.

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Sillimant@reddit

Requires less interaction than calling, quicker than texting

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Mousey_Belle_1996@reddit

When I have a long story to tell I would rather just say it then type it.

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UnacceptableUse@reddit

The only thing voice messages tell me is that you think your time is more important than mine, since now I have to stop whatever I was doing and listen to you ramble on for 4 minutes when a concise text message would've taken 10 seconds to read. I don't listen to them if I get them

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EmCarys@reddit

I agree, I don’t mind short voice notes from my nephew using my sisters phone as I appreciate it is easier for him. However one friend infuriates me as she leaves me long and rambling voice notes where she ends up losing her train of thought. She asks questions in them (which makes it difficult to track back and remember what she asked) and even on 2 or 3x speed it takes a while to get through. The other parts I find annoying is the lack of ability to search and that my car will read aloud my messages or let me have a phone call. It will not play voice notes, to listen to them through the car I have to physically play them on my phone.

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GreaseNipple_@reddit

Because they are drunk or don't have their glasses on.

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GreenDigitReaper@reddit

>>And don’t make the argument that it’s easier than sending a long text. It isn’t. You seem to be unaware that finding something easy/hard is subjective. Tell somebody with a hand injury or poor sight that sending a text is easier, or literally anybody who can talk faster than they can type. >>I can’t listen to a two minute recording if I’m out and about without my headphones. If you can hold the phone up to your ear to make a phone call, why can’t you hold the phone up to your ear to listen to your voice note? I fail to see the difference >>I can’t go back and reread something to make sure I understood what you were talking about. WhatsApp allows you to re-listen to messages as well >>I can’t always understand what you’re saying and I can’t ask questions Why do people send voice messages over WhatsApp? Why not just text or call me? >>I can’t always understand what you’re saying and I can’t ask questions. Just fucking call or text me If you can’t understand what they’re saying on a voice note, why would a phone call be any clearer? It’s literally the same person taking into the same mic And yes I can ask questions. What an earth has made you think that you can’t respond to a voice note with a question? I’m baffled as to how you’ve even reached this conclusion

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IndiaMike1@reddit

This person just doesn’t like voicenotes, and is trying to justify it with nonsensical arguments (as you clarified). You don’t have to like them at all but let’s not pretend that it’s logic - it’s preference. Personally I love voicenotes, I really enjoy listening to my friends’ voices and being able to record them while I’m out and about without having to shove my face in the phone all the time. I also have family members who literally can’t text, so it’s a necessity there. It’s so much more personal to me to hear a voicenote than a long ass text. But to each their own!

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GreenDigitReaper@reddit

Seems like they’re just tech illiterate “I can’t listen to voice messages because I didn’t come I my with my headphones” sounds boomer af lol

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NibblyPig@reddit

Mostly because other people can hear the voice notes. Not just the first three seconds before you hold it to your ear that are broadcasted out while you hope it switches over. But even after that, if you're in a quiet room the whole world will hear it. And unlike a phone call where you know the other person is around other people, people sending voice notes never seem to take that into account. Never mind that it can be inconvenient to listen to the whole message in one go va being able to scroll through while multi-tasking.

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GreenDigitReaper@reddit

If you can’t work the volume control on your phone, and it takes you 3 whole seconds to raise the phone to your ear then yea, that’s just a boomer problem

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NibblyPig@reddit

You're holding the phone while someone is talking about personal shit, the first few seconds broadcast to the world, while you faff around trying to lower the volume while they're still speaking, talk about ultra cringe while people are nearby listening and watching you panic I've been there when I had a friend that only used voice and it was unpleasant. Perhaps modern gen z/millenials don't have any shame or are never around other people.

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GreenDigitReaper@reddit

How can you “faff around” trying to lower the volume. The volume button is in the same place it’s always been,‘and it’s one of only three or so buttons on the whole phone. And why on earth would you play something in public without checking your volume level first. You guys are just boomer af

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NibblyPig@reddit

Cos volume on android is jank as balls, as anyone with a phone will know If nothing is playing sometimes the volume key adjusts the phone ringtone volume, so with whatsapp you'd have to start the voicenote playing and then quickly hold the volume down key, meanwhile everyone is watching you hurriedly scrabble to silence some clandestine message like it's revealing some embarrassing secret You sound like either you've never used a phone, or in fact you are one of those people that just doesn't give a fuck and plays their loud music on the bus and answers their phone on speakerphone and walks around acting like they're talking into 2 way radio

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CrumblyBramble@reddit

Pretty much everywhere outside of the Anglosphere sends voice notes on whatsapp, no matter the generation.

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IndiaMike1@reddit

Yeah I don’t even know who would brave the outside world without headphones in this economy

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rdj16014@reddit

It's not even about that; when you're listening to a voice note in whatsapp and put the phone to your ear, it will literally play the audio via that speaker. Exactly as if you were on a phone call.

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bonkerz1888@reddit

Sometimes hearing laughter when you're having a rough day or some positive words of encouragement can be the difference between the day continuing to feel shit or it flipping itself and ending on a high.

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IndiaMike1@reddit

So true! It’s very connecting for me, and it makes me feel closer to my loved ones, especially since so many of them live in other countries.

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bonkerz1888@reddit

Aye it's the only contact my cousin's wife has with her mum and brother back in Russia each day. I suspect it helps keep her sane and I know it gives her comfort. Being able to hear a loved ones voice is infinitely more personal than reading text on a screen.

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serabine@reddit

>You seem to be unaware that finding something easy/hard is subjective. Tell somebody with a hand injury or poor sight or dyslexia that typing out a text is easier, or literally anybody who can talk faster than they can type ( pretty much everyone) My mom's in the early throws of dementia, and as a result sometimes begs me to do stuff like use her phone to text complicated/complex things to my sister for her. I don't think it's helpful to let even more parts of her abilities especially relating communication deteriorate by disuse (she already has a very limited social circle/interactions). But I also recognize that trying to stay on track for a long text message in her condition is torture for her. So telling her to just send a voice message is a good compromise.

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User172635@reddit

Reading your comment to get the gist of it took me 10s. Out loud took about a minute. That’s why voice notes should auto transcribe to text and give people the option to read or listen (since people seem to be allergic to using voice to text, I’m guessing because it used to be shit). There are other annoyances with voice notes (which mostly would be solved with auto transcribing): - Lack of search-ability if you’re going back through conversations and trying to find something you talked about previously. - No possibility to just skim a notification to know what it’s about/if it’s urgent - Larger amount of data usage to convey more or less equal information

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taylorstillsays@reddit

If time is that much of an issue you can listen to the messages in 1.5x or 2x speed

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User172635@reddit

Still significantly slower than reading for me, and the tech already exists to solve this problem.

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ACuriousBagel@reddit

>If you can’t understand what they’re saying on a voice note, why would a phone call be any clearer? It’s literally the same person taking into the same mic Not only can a phone call not possibly be clearer, it **can** very easily be worse, because a phone call can have a bad connection, and you can't relisten to a phone call later unless they left a voicemail. On that note, I wonder if OP hates voicemail too

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bluerain80@reddit

Yes as someone who doesn’t like voice notes generally even I didn’t understand the points OP made. They’re basically all wrong lol.

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BrightonTownCrier@reddit

The only problem I have with them is when someone puts info you need (an address, contact details, time to meet etc) embedded within a long voice note.

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AMildInconvenience@reddit

There's also the comedic value for me. When my mate sends a voice note about something amusing she's seen, it's 1000% more funny for me than a text. Voice is just better.

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Maximum-Heart5746@reddit

Yess! I always use voice notes to share any funny stories! At least in my experience, the authenticity and personality is *completely* lost in text, and honestly? Sometimes it takes so long to type the whole thing out that i get bored and don't find it funny any more, and never even end up sending it bahaha. My friends have all told me that they really appreciate my voice notes and love hearing my voice, which i believe is how someone's attitude SHOULD be when it comes to someone they *actually* care about. I understand voice notes are not everybody's favourite communication method, but when you truly love someone, be that romantic/family/platonic love, taking 5 minutes or so out of your day to listen to their voice really shouldn't feel like a chore.

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roloem91@reddit

Also responding to something funny is so much better over voice note than text, you can hear them laughing.

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spinynorman1846@reddit

>WhatsApp allows you to re-listen to messages as well. It’s not like Snapchat where they self-destruct Yes, but a text is so much easier to pick out the key details once you've read it once. Oh, what time did they say? I think it was around the 1 minute mark... Oh no, missed it, have to go back... Ooops, too far. Oh, they didn't even tell me so now I have to ask >If you can’t understand what they’re saying on a voice note, why would a phone call be any clearer? It’s literally the same person taking into the same mic Has no one ever asked someone to repeat themselves in a conversation? Or got confused by a conversation and asked for it to be cleared up? On a call that takes 5 seconds, with a voicenote it takes back and forward messages >And yes you can ask questions. What an earth has made you think that you can’t respond to a voice note with a question? I’m baffled as to how you’ve even reached this conclusion They clearly mean ask questions with immediate responses

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Ody_Odinsson@reddit

B..b..b..but you're destroying his argument with FACTS. Stop it! That's not fair!

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suddenlycomplicated@reddit

I do I it because I haven't the energy to type these days.

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Thestickleman@reddit

You can often give more info faster. Also who the hell wants to call someone unless you absolutely have to ☠️☠️☠️☠️

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deadeye-ry-ry@reddit

Google messages actually gives you a transcript of voice messages so those who prefer to send voice messages can and those who prefer text messages can read it too bad WhatsApp doesn't do similar

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weelazycrow@reddit

They’re super convenient for the sender and a pain for the recipient. I personally think it’s quite rude to expect me to drop what I’m doing to listen to two minutes of nonsense that in most cases could’ve been summarized in under 100 characters.

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Inevitable-Hat-1576@reddit

I don’t send them, but I thought the whole point of a voice message (as with a text message) was that you *didn’t* need to drop what you were doing. They’re literally the same thing as voicemails but more readily available. Am I missing something?

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Mag-NL@reddit

You're missing the part that you can read and send text messages when doing nothing much in a public area. For voice you need a private area. You can even check text messages when in a meeting, if the part discussed isn't relative to you, not possible with voice.

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Inevitable-Hat-1576@reddit

Yeah I agree but I’m just saying that voice messages don’t *require* that you drop everything in the way a phone call might. If I receive a voice message I just listen when it’s convenient

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Mag-NL@reddit

And if you receive a call at an inconvenient moment you ignore it and call back when it's convenient.

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Inevitable-Hat-1576@reddit

Sure, but then they may not pick up, and now you’ve no idea what they wanted

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Mag-NL@reddit

Exactly. So?

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Inevitable-Hat-1576@reddit

So they’re not the same…

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Mag-NL@reddit

True. With a voice message the chance is much higher I will never hear it.

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Inevitable-Hat-1576@reddit

That’s not what I said though is it. But yes, you certainly do strike me as someone who doesn’t listen to other people.

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Mag-NL@reddit

Exactly. So?

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LegSpinner@reddit

Also they're *not searchable* so don't send useful stuff like addresses!

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turbo_dude@reddit

Why don’t people just use the dictation tool (iOS) just press on the mic icon. No not that mic icon, the other one.

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LegSpinner@reddit

Doesn't work well for those with heavy (non-Western) accents or those who mix native words (Hindi/Urdu) with English when they speak.

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turbo_dude@reddit

Doesn't work well for those who are native english speakers from england either. ;-)

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NaturalDisaster2582@reddit

Heck, sometimes it doesn’t work with my English accent

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pacork@reddit

Mine will never do a "comma" for me.

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Ambitious5uppository@reddit

Because it's shit. But vocie notes do now have dictated text as well, so you can choose to listen or read them.

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coolio_Didgeridoolio@reddit

it might just be my accent, and the way i slur my words due to talking so fast, but i always have to go back and correct things when i dictate on messages

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tzomby1@reddit

Better use normal text messages cause people would also have trouble understanding you too then lol

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coolio_Didgeridoolio@reddit

not really because the only people im sending voice messages to are people who have the same accent as me and talk to me irl regularly, so theyre used to hearing me talk like that

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bonkerz1888@reddit

You can favourite them

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LegSpinner@reddit

How do I know what's in them?

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Jmac0113@reddit

Never thought of that. So right!

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uncledavis86@reddit

This is exactly correct

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geeered@reddit

Two minutes - all too often hit by 10 minute ones. Then you have to relisten to it a bit at a time to remember the 15 things they asked you about and it takes three times as long. And they totally forget what they asked you anyway! And one time replied to the \_wrong\_ person who took my message very badly, not understanding the context of the voice mail I had received.

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ra246@reddit

i suggest an absolute max of 3 minutes, with 2 minutes being the top of the 'usable range'. If you're going past 3 minutes, send what you've done so far and start a new message

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geeered@reddit

I suggest using a speech to text option so it can be read and replied to without easily.

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distantapplause@reddit

I suggest having less to say. Jesus. If you have more than 3 minutes of stuff to say to me let's just meet up for a pint or a coffee.

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ra246@reddit

Nah, I prefer voice messages. Both sending and receiving

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Mag-NL@reddit

That's is extremely long already. 30 seconds is the max, anything longer is completely impractical.

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stutter-rap@reddit

I've seen ones that are half an hour. I don't usually want to listen to a Youtuber monologue for half an hour and they've got scripts and editors.

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Alas_boris@reddit

Reply: "Thanks, but I'm not interested in this podcast."

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SNVOR@reddit

Yeah my mate was sending me them 5+ minutes long and I was having to make notes of what I was going to reply with lol. Pretty annoying! They’re fine for a quick hello or share of info, but not a fan of the long rambling ones

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gsej2@reddit

Don't they get the message after you ignore them a few times?

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SNVOR@reddit

They did when I started sending long ones back!

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interestingfeline@reddit

I would think you have to drop what you're doing to read a text- when you listen to a voice message you can also do other things

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Mag-NL@reddit

It is many times quicker and can be done in public areas, unlike listening to text. Admittedly sending voice maybe quicker than writing but can be done even less in a public area.

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llamasncheese@reddit

When I send a voice note I don't care if the person responds instantly, or later, or tomorrow, or in a week. Expecting people to drop what they're doing and read/listen to what we say isn't a voice note only thing, it's more an annoying person with no life thing.

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Mag-NL@reddit

Or never. Don't forget that one as a response option.

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CClobres@reddit

But with a voice note you have no way of knowing if it’s something important or not, and the only way to know is to listen. So you could not listen and miss something important/time critical, or stop to listen. Ow to something which turns out to be just chat With text you can scan/quickly see by the opening text whether it is important to read now, or just chat which can wait.

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llamasncheese@reddit

Ig then you text them, I'm not advocating for getting rid of IMs or calls just saying that voice notes are overrall superior.

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weelazycrow@reddit

Honestly if it’s a catching up sort of voice note or if they’re used to tell a fun story, I don’t mind at all, I even think they’re nice. But it seems that some people have just stopped texting altogether and they exclusively send voice notes, even if it’s for something that requires a quick answer or immediate attention like saying that they’re going to be late.

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llamasncheese@reddit

Yh I mean I've had someone send me a voice note that simply said "yh" I now send that to them once or twice a week to remind them that they are a dingbat.

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affogatohoe@reddit

I like them because i can choose when to have those two minutes, now a phone call I feel is the rude one because it's truly asking you to drop what you're doing to listen only to them, and you don't know how long it's going to be, but a voice note I do so can plan for when to listen! I see it as the best of both

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ManufacturerNearby37@reddit

Genuine question: you really find phone calls *rude*? Not annoying, or inconvenient, but rude?

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aspannerdarkly@reddit

So how is it better than a text?

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PullUpAPew@reddit

Never heard a phone call described as rude before

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runawayasfastasucan@reddit

People should just text though.

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EconomyFreakDust@reddit

You don't have to answer a phone call.

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miy5@reddit

Nor do you have to immediately listen to a voice note

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_poptart@reddit

Can you tell my 80 year old dad that?

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Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

Yeah mine calls me over and over until I answer. Half the time I'm driving or in the bath or something.

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L3ahRD@reddit

Sure, what's his number?

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cannydooper@reddit

0800 21 do 1

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jed_gaming@reddit

For me, I use discord as my main way of calling and texting people. If someone calls me I can still do everything I was doing, have music on or whatever in the background, even on my phone so long as I'm not using Bluetooth earphones. That said I still hate voice notes, as someone else said they're not searchable, and I prefer being able to read through text in seconds than waiting for 2 minutes with someone pausing or saying something that's way quicker to read.

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EggSandwich1@reddit

And if it just happens to be gossip and you click it in the car while the Apple CarPlay is on you just hope the person getting gossip on is not in the car

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chonkyclouds@reddit

Yeah, my friends sometimes send voice messages on WhatsApp and I like listening, mostly because I never get to see them face to face so it's good to hear their voices once in a while. I personally hate sending them though, I'm more comfortable with text.

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Sackyhap@reddit

If I have to explain something that’s too long or convoluted to txt and I’d rather explain it over the phone, then I would always send a txt first asking if they’re free for a quick chat about it.

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bluerain80@reddit

Yes I just commented that it’s a compromise for those that prefer phone calls to those that prefer texts. I have strong feelings about anyone that calls when it’s something that isn’t urgent & can easily be a text.

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bonkerz1888@reddit

Alternatively you can listen to a voice note whilst you're busy doing something else. I send and receive them regularly. Means I can cook dinner, clean the house etc whilst also hearing what my friend has to say without having to continually stop what I'm doing. Same when I'm washing the dishes etc, don't have to continually dry my hands to send a text.

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masterflex11@reddit

Or... you listen when it's convenient for you...? And you increase the speed to save time...? You know, like normal people.

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Sezyluv85@reddit

The whole point of a message is so you don't have to drop everything and respond, like a phone call. It's up to you when you read it/listen and respond.

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weelazycrow@reddit

Sure but I feel that with texts I can just take a quick glance to see what they are about and whether I need to reply soonish or not. And I can do that in any situation because it takes literally seconds. With voice messages I need to listen to the whole thing, which requires a lot more time, more attention span and also to be alone because I also think it’s quite rude to listen to a voice note when you’re with people. Also, you can reply to texts on the go, but if you get voice messages you need to find dedicated time to listen to them and reply.

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just_burn_it_all@reddit

I ues a voicemail service called HulloMail on my iPhone. Any voice messages lefgt, and then transcibed and sent to me as an iOS notification (or you can view it in HulloMail app). Works pretty well, especially as I rarely answer the phone

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wilkinsonhorn@reddit

I feel like this should be the natural evolution of phone calls.

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wagloadsbarkless@reddit

The few people who used to send them to me eventually stopped when they realised they elicited zero response. One had the audacity to follow up with a phone call, obviously, they're dead to me now.

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gundog48@reddit

Me and my GF use them all the time, often hour long messages. And yeah, they can be a pain to respond to. I'll usually listen while I'm doing something else, but then forget the key points when I get chance to respond. We like it and do it because we can respect each other's time and talk more. Phone calls tie everyone up at the exact same time, which doesn't often work. With this, you can listen and reply at your own convenience. I am trying to work on an integration to send the messages to OpenAI's 'Whisper' to transcribe, then have the message summarised, to remember the key points when responding! Unfortunately, WhatsApp doesn't seem to have an accessible API, and the file format is weird, so I'm not sure I can make it work in a way that isn't insanely hacky.

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Opening_Line_5802@reddit

Why not send multiple shorter ones then you can replay small parts without having to remember how far along the bit you forgot was

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weelazycrow@reddit

Honestly pitch this idea to Meta, you’d be my hero

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AnonymousOnlineGuy@reddit

It’s like someone sending me bank info or phone number as a screenshot. Fuck them!

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GillyBilmour@reddit

> I personally think it’s quite rude to expect me to drop what I’m doing to listen to two minutes of nonsense Nice way to talk about your friends

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Disastrous-Client-34@reddit

I hate them but someone told me they prefer them because it helps them with their dyslexia and i don't like taking phone calls which makes sense.

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Olibaba1987@reddit

I struggle with texts, adhd and dyslexia, It's like I have a mental block against it, they become this huge stress, and I have to re read what I've written over and over again to make sure I'm conveying what I wished to, this would lead me to ignoring texts and not replying, then I'd feel bad about it, it's crazy I know but now I respond to messages in either a voice message or a haiku I don't have any issues with it any more

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CliffyGiro@reddit

But you get on fine interacting on Reddit? Edit: For clarity, this is a genuine question. As someone that struggles with dyslexia and ADHD myself. I am intrigued.

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Olibaba1987@reddit

Anonymity and a complete lack of emotional or monetary ties, that's what I'd say feels differnt, so my amygdala doesn't kick into over drive, my aversion to texting is illogical, it creates an anxiety that isn't really worth that level of worry, it happens to me though, so i have to come up with things to circumnavigate the issue. Voice messages or haiku seem to work for me.

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Practical_Damage9231@reddit

Sorry for the dumb question but I've just looked up Haiku and it is saying it is a Japanese poem.. so not sure if it's a joke and I'm not getting it or people genuinely write poems to each other when responding to texts? That sounds like a lot of hard work if so

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Olibaba1987@reddit

No it's not a joke, if I'm trying to convey emotion, having the constraints of 5, 7, 5 sylables makes it easier for me. I write at least one a day anyway for I freind I keep in touch with, so i don't find them that difficult to construct, maybe because it feels a bit like a game it stops the anxiety rising? I'm not sure what other people do, but I do this and it seems to work for me.

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borderlineidiot@reddit

What happens if you discover that you messed up the number of syllables in the third line?

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sashaisafish@reddit

That's a really cool strategy!

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markegg1985@reddit

I’m slightly high and all your comments are fucking amazing mate. So insightful and makes you think about how other people feel when you text them and a lack of response. My dad responds with one word answers in text but if I ring him and ask him about the same subject he’ll wax lyrical about it.

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markegg1985@reddit

I’m slightly high and all your comments are fucking amazing mate. So insightful and makes you think about how other people feel when you text them and a lack of response. My dad responds with one word answers in text but if I ring him and ask him about the same subject he’ll wax lyrical about it.

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all-is-true@reddit

I am not confined. The first line of a haiku Is often enough

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meisobear@reddit

That's absolutely fascinating... I might pass this on to a family member who has similar neurologies to you! All the best

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GrandWazoo0@reddit

Reddit is anonymous if you want, and ultimately very low “cost” in terms of anxiety

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SwallowaNutUpnShutUp@reddit

It is until you mix up jackdaws and crows… Then some neckbeard on an ego trip absolutely tears you a new one

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ShortNefariousness2@reddit

You mean crows and rooks. Jackdaws are much smaller, and have grey on them. Everyone (except you) knows this.

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JohnMcAfeewaswhackd@reddit

Or is it numerous neckbeards….

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subcinco@reddit

Well. Yeah. Don't do that

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livelylobster@reddit

Did no one have ADHD and Dyslexia twenty years ago? It’s the current buzzwords of tick boxes.

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BeatificBanana@reddit

But they're a total stranger who doesn't know who you are, so you can just block them and never have to speak to or think about them again.

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15liam20@reddit

What if sometime in the future you really need to ask a question about crows?

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Tom22174@reddit

yep, there's no negative emotional impact to literally just ignoring something on reddit. nobody you care about is going to think badly of you for not replying to a reddit post or for writing a comment slightly wrong

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winolaforever@reddit

I have a family member who is exactly like u/olibaba1987 and struggles with texts, dyslexia and adhd. (emails and letters are done by family and friends) He does not use Reddit because it is all reading for him and way too difficult To reply. He does like the content and pictures, but to get involved in the conversations on reddit one has to read and be able to type correctly and for some people u/horsefaceddipshit dyslexia is a real challenge. Personally I LOVE it when this particular family member sends me a voicemail on WhatsApp. He wants to keep it brief too and it just sounds like maybe your particular friend may have some drama about them. Most people don’t wish to waste other people’s time unnecessarily, but to knock them for communicating in the only way they can, without it being a 5 hour or two day reply, or no reply at all, is disheartening. Perhaps they should no waffle on so much…as many of us do in text anyway :)

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PlusRefuse3450@reddit

Remember, texts are usually very immediate and quick-paced, the other person is waiting on a response within the next few minutes and is alot more personal. It is likely that u/Olibaba1987 had to do the same proofreading and stuff for that paragraph!

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Katharinemaddison@reddit

Personally I feel less sense of obligation and actual need to reply to a reditt comment than I do for a text from a friend or family member. Reddit cab always wait till I’m In the mood.

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CliffyGiro@reddit

Great point.

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Man_in_the_uk@reddit

I find it strange whenever we asked a client to make a change to their policy using the online system they'll get all defensive and claim they don't know how to use computers and yet they purchased the policy online in the first place so they must know.

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Disastrous-Client-34@reddit

You can use screenreaders and all sorts of other ways of getting around Reddit.

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ImChimeraX@reddit

Voice to text is generally better than any of those from a phone or tablet, provided you have a reasonably recent phone and no strong accent.

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CliffyGiro@reddit

Do you use them?

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Disastrous-Client-34@reddit

Not personally but I work with disabled people so use them all the time at work

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tardigrade_snores@reddit

Be less of a prat! Thanks ❤️

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CliffyGiro@reddit

On a regular basis I will delete the app because it can be exhausting replying to people exactly like yourself that chose to infer something from a comment that was never said. I asked as question because I had a genuine curiosity. Thanks for coming to the rescue though, it’s not like I asked you anything but you felt the need to try and answer anyway.

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RobotBoyJT420@reddit

Don't be a dick!

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CliffyGiro@reddit

Don’t assume.

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More_Cicada_8742@reddit

Every single person has adhd

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NotAgainHel@reddit

I have ADHD too and anxiety and every time I receive a voice message I'm close to a panic attack because I get panicky with having to listen to them and remember all the bits to respond to. It's not as bad as having to make a phone call but it's close. Makes me feel sick. We all have our own issues but voice messages are every bit as bad for some of us as texts are for you, sadly.

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NegativePTest@reddit

I just hate listening to the one person who sends me these. She drones on and on and takes forever to get to the point. I don't bother re-listening if I missed something, because by the time I get done listening, I'm exhausted.

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Mag-NL@reddit

I often don't even listen to them. If it's important she can send a text

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NegativePTest@reddit

Mine annoying voice message person just can't type very well. She's my language teacher, so I can't really ignore her messages because it's usually about a class being moved. I wish I could ignore her though.

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YieldinglyLivid@reddit

I do it just because I can click the call button on my computer rather than worrying about where I left my phone.

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NotAgainHel@reddit

I understand why it's easier for some people, but it's really anxiety inducing for others, like me.

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str8dropliving@reddit

I also suffer/struggle so this might be my reasoning for using them so regularly. I dunno like I said I’m of the apposed opinion I think they’re great lol

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FishUK_Harp@reddit

As someone with ADHD and dyspraxia, I'm somewhat similar - but I hate receiving voice messages *even more*.

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chimpaflimp@reddit

Speech to text exists.

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theaveragemillenial@reddit

Going by how you communicate on Reddit, you'd have no problems texting people? Unless you are writing a phyesis via SMS I think you are good.

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JunoPK@reddit

Genuine question but wouldn't voice to text solve this? That's what my dyslexic friend always uses.

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BeefStarmer@reddit

Texts torment my mind, ADHD, dyslexia, Blockage to convey. Re-read, stress unfolds, Ignoring, guilt overflows, Haiku brings me peace.

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Affectionate-Owl9594@reddit

You’re literally describing me and my ADD - I also struggle physically typing on small phones and the frustration of re-typing spelling mistakes makes me want to screeeeeam.

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Phainesthai@reddit

Activate your phones spell check function?

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PayApprehensive6181@reddit

Do you not use the dictate function as an easier way to navigate around it?

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CottonCandyKitkat@reddit

I have juvenile arthritis (I’m an adult now tho) among other joint issues and my hands often hurt far too badly to type at a reasonable speed or even vaguely accurately - voice messages help me to explain things in-depth and send long messages without quite so much avoidable pain, but I do always check that the person is ok with me sending a voice message first because I know that there’s a chance that they’re in public and can’t listen to it or maybe they have a migraine idk it just feels like checking with the recipient is the right thing to do

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RookCrowJackdaw@reddit

Good on you for asking. A friend routinely leaves me voice messages on WA that are anything up to 7 mins long. He knows I wear hearing aids. He knows I prefer text but he does it anyway. I regularly think, oh crap it's Steve, and often don't listen for a couple of days. At least you check in with your people to see if they're ok with a VM

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CottonCandyKitkat@reddit

Ah yeah I used to have a friend who wore hearing aids and the first time I asked her she told me “well you can send one but there’s no chance I’ll hear it” so I didn’t bother asking again, but she also had dyslexia so tended to use voice-to-text!

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RookCrowJackdaw@reddit

Oh I can hear it but it has to be on speaker phone and I have to have patience and no background noise. All calls have to be on speakerphone so I always reject them if I'm in a public space. Frustrating but there you go

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VillageBeginning8432@reddit

Basically this. You get the best bits of a phone call (no spelling and such) and the best bits of a text (can be stored, relistened to, etc).

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Theratchetnclank@reddit

Every phone these days has voice to text on the keyboards though so i still don't see the point. Talk into your phone if you want but give the recipient text to read.

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SojournerInThisVale@reddit

1. It’s mega slow on android 2. It makes mistakes. It’s knowledge of any word with four or more syllables is severely limited 3. It’s jarring to have to keep saying ‘comma’, ‘full stop’, ‘colon’, and ‘semi-colon’ every five seconds

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Theratchetnclank@reddit

I don't have any of those problems. It's fast makes little mistakes and i don't even have to do punctuation it just fills it in for me automatically?

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financialmisconduct@reddit

Your lack of punctuation hurts

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Theratchetnclank@reddit

The irony in this comment.

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Her1boyfriend@reddit

It doesn't work if you've got the slightest hint of a slight accent of something.

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AltoCumulus15@reddit

You obviously aren’t Scottish

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TheSunSmellsTooLoud4@reddit

As a Scot ahm fuckin sick ae it. Pure bams on yer Google shit....but that still requires talking to a microphone. Which requires talking out loud. I do it because it IS quickest than texting, it's easier to convey tone and sarcasm or something funny that could be misinterpreted...plus you cant always talk on the phone with someone as well as needing to convey a lot of info quickly as you've not much time do I can say, in 20 seconds, what would take me ages to tyke as that person just sees ,"the sun smells too loud is typing..." Then they get bored of the wait and the flow of the convo, or, conflow if you will, (you will) and it loses its has. Voicemail messages are something I thought weird until I left the UK and saw everyone else doing it and realised it makes so much more sense.

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Other_Position8704@reddit

voice messages indeed have the possibility to be quicker. at least on the senders point. but God do people love to struggle to get to the point. the information I get from a 10 Minute voice mail I can read out from a text in mere seconds.

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DiscombobulatedDust7@reddit

Off topic, but how on earth (or sun, I guess?) did you come up with your username??

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ImmortalKale@reddit

it's a reference to the band Mogwai I believe; they're awesome!

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Disastrous-Client-34@reddit

Text to speech is never accurate

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happymellon@reddit

Neither is me ignoring the voice message, but here we are. You can't type and you can't voice to text.

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Theratchetnclank@reddit

I dunno. My Pixel 6 is pretty much spot on, just using the google keyboard. It gets an odd word wrong every now and then but they tend to be unusual words.

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Disastrous-Client-34@reddit

But those are the words you'd struggle with if you were dyslexic lol

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CliffyGiro@reddit

*you might struggle with Dyslexia is a spectrum disorder and doesn’t not affect everyone in the same way. Source: I am dyslexic and used to work as an employability mentor for other dyslexic people so did lots of training.

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Disastrous-Client-34@reddit

I appreciate the correction, I'm autistic so I understand spectrums. But I was defending people with dyslexia using a variety means of communication, not knocking them.

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eionmac@reddit

None of my mobile phones has voice to text.Our family only have 2G phones, on PAYG. Some folk cannot afford smart phones.

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Theratchetnclank@reddit

If you have a 2g phone you aren't sending voice notes on WhatsApp either then are you?

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MouldyRemote@reddit

oh this sounds easier than you think, as someone already said accents are a killer for speech to text, sorry to the scots, welsh, irish and anyone that english is their second language

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xch3rrix@reddit

Just like you want to read, others want to speak but aren't in a position to call - voice note

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OhLookSquirrels@reddit

> helps them with their dyslexia I have dyslexia and weird as it might sound, texting in the early 2000s drastically improved my spelling. Why? Back before smartphones we all had to type on telephone keypads using predictive text. Get the letters in the wrong order and predictive text will just output gibberish. It was very frustrating sometimes, but it eventually forced me to improve my recall of letter order in words.

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CottonCandyKitkat@reddit

I have juvenile arthritis (I’m an adult now tho) among other joint issues and my hands often hurt far too badly to type at a reasonable speed or even vaguely accurately - voice messages help me to explain things in-depth and send long messages without quite so much avoidable pain, but I do always check that the person is ok with me sending a voice message first because I know that there’s a chance that they’re in public and can’t listen to it or maybe they have a migraine idk it just feels like checking with the recipient is the right thing to do

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Princess_starkitty@reddit

Similar here! I have hEDS and I get a lot of pain in my hands, fingers & wrists. A voice note when I’m super sore is far easier than typing. I also always ask first if it’s okay timing for them to listen & if they have the energy before sending :)

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andrew314159@reddit

I’m very dyslexic (maxed out the screening test in school) and still find voice messages at best suboptimal, if I’m feeling unkind, almost obnoxious. They are more practical for the sender but worse for the receiver almost always. I definitely find them annoying even though I’m so terrible at reading

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BongusHo@reddit

The key one my professor said was it was the compromise between him not liking texting and most people not liking phone calls. I think that's the most legit reason I've heard

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MewNexico@reddit

I've a few dyslexic family and friends and they only ever reply with voice notes, which makes sense. Anyone else that sends me a two minute voice note of a 30 word text can get in the sea.

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AutisticTumourGirl@reddit

I'm autistic and have ADHD, so a voice message allows me to communicate something that might take awhile to text and be able to do something else at the same time, plus I can avoid the horror of an actual phone call.

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Largejam@reddit

I know it is really popular in Asia (I know about China/Japan) because it is often much quicker and easier than typing in their languages

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Darthlentils@reddit

They could dictate their message in speech to text, it’s really easy, and much more convenient for the receiver

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Nerds4Yous@reddit

It’s like having walkie talkies, relax.

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not-wanted-on-voyage@reddit

Ok, I can get behind this. New voice note protocol: start every message with your call sign and their's. End every message with 'over'. Sprinkle in 80's trucker CB talk liberally. I'm in! (Over)

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WCGR@reddit

How many candles are you burning? Over.

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killmesienna@reddit

Please tell me this is a Pilkington reference

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WCGR@reddit

It was

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NotAGooseHonest@reddit

Kch-ch-t

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Impossible_Command23@reddit

What's your 20? Over

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Scarred_fish@reddit

10-4

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southcoastal@reddit

Breaker- breaker

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maracajaazul@reddit

Plus you can listen to it whenever you can

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bluerain80@reddit

That is true. I don’t mind at all when people use it in a fun brief way, like sometimes we send a 5 second voice note of us laughing to something to get across how much we’re laughing during a conversation or we do short karaoke sessions with each other.

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Scarred_fish@reddit

Er, no. That would be a phone call...

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Chickennoodlesleuth@reddit

I think they mean it's like walkie talkies because when you're talking you can't hear the other person until you're done talking and send it and then they do the same back

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Vurbetan@reddit

A lot of people find it easier to speak their mind than type it, and that's without even considering ADHD and dyslexia. I will voice note when I can't text, or sometimes if I want to say something and I feel like the tone and depth of the message may be lost. But sure, whine about it you bitch.

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HorseFacedDipShit@reddit (OP)

I have adhd. It’s harder for me to listen to a disorganised message than to be able to have the freedom to reread it. But sure, keep being a judgemental asshole.

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Spock_42@reddit

I used to find them annoying, but I've honestly really come to appreciate them. Some people express themselves better verbally, but you aren't always free to take a call - a voice message bridges that gap. I've had some messages of support sent as voice recordings, and having the tone of voice can make a huge difference. I've had unwell friends use voice messages because it's easier. I don't use them much myself, since I like typing and I'm pretty quick at it, but I don't fault anyone who prefers to use voice message.

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Elliott_Ness1970@reddit

This is the way. I only started using them recently when a team mate, who uses them all the time, encouraged it. As others have said, I don’t have to stand still to listen, I have them set at 1.5x speed which is barely noticeable, and I now use them myself because I can do it when I think of it, often while walking the dogs. The recipient can listen to it when they see fit, which is much more respectful I think. If it is important I will message them and ask if they are free to talk. I’m sure it’s different between friends but I don’t impose every time I want to message someone.

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whiterose2511@reddit

Yeah there’s loads of people here acting like if you get a voice message you have to stand perfectly still and stop what you’re doing or it won’t work. If anything they’re easier than texts because you aren’t staring at your screen reading. You literally press one button and it just plays, leaving you to do anything else while you listen.

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Mag-NL@reddit

Tell that to my coworkers or the other people on the train.

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Heliosicle@reddit

You can just hold the speaker to your ear with the volume down you know

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OMGItsCheezWTF@reddit

1 in 6 people have very poor literacy skills, that goes up to 1 in 4 in Scotland. They may be able to read well enough to get by day to day, but when it comes to expressing themselves they may struggle to put what they want to say into words. Voice messages bypass the entire issue.

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TentativeGosling@reddit

Not helping them improve their literacy skills for more important tasks though, is it?

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OMGItsCheezWTF@reddit

If you're an adult with very poor literacy skills, using whatsapp isn't going to improve them in any noticable way. Especially if they find the experience frustrating. Dedicated education would be the solution, but for that they would have to admit that there is a problem and the majority would not be willing to do that. The most notable example I can think of recently is Jay Blades (of The Repair Shop fame) who took a long time to admit that he could not read, and did not until he was 51.

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coolio_Didgeridoolio@reddit

this begs the question, how do people who cant read visualise what they are saying? maybe its just me and this isnt a thing for anyone else, but when im speaking i see the actual words in my mind, and when i have to memorise a phrase (eg. an address) i read it in my mind like im reading it with my eyes. do illiterate people just have another way to do this?

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DuckMagic@reddit

This is really cool, I've never heard of anyone visualising speech as text before

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coolio_Didgeridoolio@reddit

oops it seems that its just a me thing then haha

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songwritingimprover@reddit

I am not illiterate but I don't do that either. Maybe some of them hear what they are going to say. I can't really say what I personally do I don't think I do either but honestly I'm not sure.

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OMGItsCheezWTF@reddit

Most people see images in their minds when they are visualising or reading something, 0.8% of the population have aphantasia and cannot form those mental images. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphantasia

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Sussurator@reddit

yeah exactly often things get lost in text. Also you can play them at 2x speed. Overall I like them. They have a purpose

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Ajram1983@reddit

It’s also just nice sometimes to hear your mates voice if you haven’t seen them for a while.

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Maximum-Heart5746@reddit

This is refreshing to read x thank you

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drakesdrum@reddit

Yeah. Me and mates will send a 10 min audio or so each week just going through life etc and it's great, adds so much more of a human touch to it and I can listen to it when I want

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rosstoferwho@reddit

Agree with this. Sometimes context for things is lost in a text message which can cause problems. Having a voice message that conveys the message in the right tone is helpful

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Barrythehippo@reddit

1000000% this. It’s disgusting and invasive. I do not understand where this came from.

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gstarguru@reddit

you must have shit for brains to post this

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cillitbangers@reddit

If I have a long message I want to give you that you don't need to see know right now but at some point then it's perfect.

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St_Zenith@reddit

Quicker and easier.

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ClaudTheCat@reddit

I love when friends or family tell me a funny story or something via voice note. I love podcasts and its like a mini personal podcast just for me!

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ryunista@reddit

I actually find it rude/obnoxious. Think I'm getting old

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HorseFacedDipShit@reddit (OP)

I’ve found people more likely to use them are in the 35-50 range believe it or not

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poisonivyuk@reddit

I hate these. A few people on my team at work are obsessed with these. If what you need to tell me is too long or complicated for email*, pick up the goddamn phone and call me, because I’m probably going to need some clarification. *using WhatsApp in a work environment is a whole other bugbear of mine that should probably have its own thread.

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automated10@reddit

“Hi, I’m such a high flyer that I simply don’t have time to type.. I’m actually in central London right now on the way to a very important meeting with some other high flyers (you wouldn’t know anything about that), got to stop off for my Black Americano from Costa first though, because I’m such a high flyer, but yes, hopefully we will get a chance to catch up soon, it’s been a while, we must meet up, but it’s tough finding the time, because I’m such a flyer, anyways, speak soon mum”.

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New_Village_3538@reddit

I get 45 minute voice messages from a friend who moved abroad. It's hard to reply to them but he prefers it that way.

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noogai03@reddit

For organizing stuff and day to day communication, absolutely not they're a pain, not searchable, waste time etc. But they're much more expressive. For telling funny stories especially they're amazing since you can use your voice, do funny voices etc. Same for comforting someone if they're upset

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arcsprung@reddit

If you put the phone to your ear like you would on a phone call you can listen to them without headphones when out and about - it will start playing as though you're on a phone call not on loudspeaker

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HorseFacedDipShit@reddit (OP)

I already know this. The issue comes when I’m doing something and I can’t rewind the message if I did t hear it properly.

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rizozzy1@reddit

My friend and I do this, but only with random waffle nattering. Anything important like arranging a date/time we message. She’s got a new baby, so phone calls aren’t that easy to do. But via voice messages we can have a “normal” conversation but at a pick up and put down pace. However, her and my partner don’t get it and think we’re weirdos.

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qcinc@reddit

Voice notes are also very easy if you’re walking around with a pram a lot - you probably have headphones because newborn babies have no chat but it’s a pain to hold a phone to read or type messages - voice notes are generally easier to both send and receive

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blodblodblod@reddit

YES! This exactly what I was going to say. When you're feeding a baby too, or just day to day life with them. You can't always fire off a long text while looking after them, but a voicenote is easy peasy.

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pacork@reddit

Quicker than texting. Quicker than calling.

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InitialMention0@reddit

I accidentally did this the other day and apologised profusely. for some dumb reason I mistook the WhatsApp microphone button for the keyboard one 🤷‍♀️ the keyboard one would have typed for me instead of sending it as a sound file. I wasn't having the best of brain days. Btw this is the solution for all the people who think they need to send voice messages over Whatsapp because of neurospicy reasons. No. Just use a keyboard on your phone that can also take dictation.

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EstablishmentExtra41@reddit

This is pretty much the default way people communicate on the Chinese equivalent “WeChat”. I can see it is more convenient than having to enter a choice out of thousands of Chinese characters to form sentences versus the 26 in English. However for English language I don’t like it because: - you can’t search (or validate) conversation history easily - people ramble and talk nonsense rather than clearly laying out their thoughts - it’s just lazy prioritising the senders convenience over the recipient - it just adds to the general summing down and throw away nature of modern interactions

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GoldenDrummer@reddit

Can’t typo a voice note. Can’t lose tone in a voice note. Can’t lose context in a voice note. Also doesn’t matter if the person can’t listen instantly as you can’t expect an instant response from sending a voice note for the reasons you state and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t voice note but I know that you don’t have to instantly listen to it, I’m also sure that you do things more convenient to you that other people question as well as we all do, what is this post 😂.

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distantapplause@reddit

The voice note equivalent of a typo is homophones, mispronunciations, mishearing something etc, not to mention relying more on working memory when something isn't in front of your eyeballs. My wife voice notes her best friend all the time with logistics about meeting up etc. More than once they've completely misunderstood each other and ended up at the wrong place or time because they've misheard or misremembered a voice note.

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GoldenDrummer@reddit

You make valid points I can’t deny that.

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caruynos@reddit

i absolutely have typo’d in a voice note, just verbally haha.

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GoldenDrummer@reddit

Yeah I can’t deny that is still a possibility actually thinking about it haha

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svenz@reddit

Like others said, it's great for people with dyslexia. I have a couple dyslexic friends and they far prefer to send a voice recording than type a text.

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Double-Tension-1208@reddit

This!

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LibertyIAB@reddit

The only 2 reasons I can think of: 1/ No credit on mobile 2/ You're calling someone abroad & it's cost.

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WarlaxZ@reddit

So on apps like WeChat it can auto translate that voice sample into text.. This is essentially what's missing

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operationspudling@reddit

I sometimes have to get a point across quickly and dont have two hands to type (e.g holding a baby or cooking or something).

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drfusterenstein@reddit

Why even use WhatsApp which doesn't even care about its users when you can use r/signal which doesn't spy on you and has better features like changing app icon, and support for 1000 people in 1 group chat. But yeah just phone.

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annihilation511@reddit

I have dyslexia and they help me understand people better as I struggle to get meaning from text.

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annihilation511@reddit

If you hold your phone up to your ear while it's playing it transfers it to the earpiece.

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Something-Gold@reddit

It is actually much easier to send but its a bit difficult to digest on the receiver’s end. Shorter VNs are much better than texts, imho. But anything over 30 secs is a nightmare.

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Tana1234@reddit

I use them fairly often they are pretty easy to do and saves typing out messages, and when you are just texting back and forth with friends it's good

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Born_Art_1379@reddit

Sometimes I can't be arsed to text its so much easier to just talk and if I day something funny, which is highly likely, then they can treasure it forever.

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Narrow_Guava_6239@reddit

I only do it if it’s going to be super long, if we’re having funny conversation and you’re into it and wanna keep the fun going. Voice notes brings out animated behaviour when the conversation is good. This is in my experience.

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dumbnunt_@reddit

SERIOUSLY it's annoying

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bearfanhiya@reddit

A guy I knew in Manchester did this. It's so selfish

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blipojones@reddit

I think WhatsApp should give the option of letting you choose to only recieve text messages. I detest voice messages

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emeharg@reddit

Typing will always take longer, and a lot of people with language difficulties find it a lot easier to speak than spell.

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Sea-Championship9274@reddit

I hate calls. Why call me when you could simply text me your simple ass question?

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Beautiful-Cat-1519@reddit

I personally hate them, but I think the long message thing is partly the reason. Some people find it easier, not everyone is quick at typing. Also I've seen people do it while they're walking because it means they don't have to be looking down at their phone.

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Schminimal@reddit

Hate them. Especially long ones. It completely disrespects the recipients time, so much so I will send passive aggressively long ones if someone won’t stop hounding me about something over text.

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joereddington@reddit

I hate it, but “security” is a big answer - it’s a lot harder for screenshots to circulate and for your BFF’s idiot partner to snoop on conversations.

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donniemoore@reddit

For business decisions, its great. You can explain the scenario and the other person can understand the importance through your pace and wording and context. And they can hear it on their own time, so its super efficient.

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HopAlongInHongKong@reddit

I have an acquaintance who sends WA voice messages when he's driving and can't text and it's usually, "I'm driving, I can't text". And when driving it's also pretty noisy so it's short and hands off the phone. Not two minutes worth though.

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dario_sanchez@reddit

I typically have my headphones with me and it's often quicker than typing something, especially if I've to stop the bike. I'm not ringing someone for 45 seconds like

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ZestycloseWay2771@reddit

I always send voice messages while driving... simply because its illegal and immoral to send written messages while driving. You have a point when it comes to making calls instead but if someone opens a conversation via direct message it seems a bit much to respond with a phone call.

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chiefpeaeater@reddit

I send them to my husband sometimes if I need to send a message while walking with the kids because I only have 1 hand free and need to also pay attention to things around me

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SJizzler@reddit

You can speed up the message! It's entertaining and makes it go by faster. I do prefer text.

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san_souci@reddit

They are nice for sweet or heartfelt messages and such where you appreciate hearing the senders voice.

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legshampoo@reddit

i love them. love to get them and i am known to send suuper long ones like upwards of 20 minutes i can listen to them whenever i have the space instead of needing to speak w someone at their time you can express more and hearing the voice makes a way more personal connection. i appreciate that someone is thinking of me enough to send it its like a short podcast from friends i wouldnt want to get them from just anyone, and some can be boring. but the friends who are fun to listen to i live to get them. i dont send to everyone, but if i know u enjoy them i love to talk so its great

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_fml__@reddit

“Just call or text me” Voice notes are literally both. Let’s break it down- Call- voice notes are exactly like calling, except you listen when it’s convenient without the risk of missing the call or not having signal “I can’t listen without my headphones”. If you can take a phone call, you can listen to a voice note. Calls are real time only. Voicenotes can be played back an up to 2x speed so are quicker. “Text me” Ever considered it’s much more time and effort to send a text than it is a voice note? Same with recoding. You have to stop and read a message else you’ll walk into a lamp post, voicenotes don’t have the same issue.

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VirusdDetected@reddit

I hate voice notes. I have disabled voicemail because I don't want to receive voice messages, which should indicate that I'm not interested in voice notes either. There's one friend of mine who always sends long voice notes. I've asked her to text me instead, explaining that I'm busy or simply don't want to listen to them. Her response has been to suggest listening to them later and to comment to another friend that it’s odd that I told her I don’t like voice notes, I haven't been responding to her voice notes, and I think she's finally got the message.

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saramirta_@reddit

I hate phone calls so I prefer anything else

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ghstrprtn@reddit

just yob shit

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irjakr@reddit

I think the real question is why you'd go anywhere without your headphones?

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BeckysPTSD@reddit

Nothing worse than someone sending me a voice message. I won’t listen to it. It’s getting ignored.

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WorldlyTraveller@reddit

If you start playing a voice note and hold your phone to your ear, as if you were on a phone call, it plays the audio through the earpiece. Useful for when out and about. For me, one of the useful reasons for them is messaging some family who aren’t native English speakers. Much easier to get the message across.

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Emergency_Mistake_44@reddit

Voice messages get sent back and forth in my sibling group chat a lot. Some things, like telling a story of something happening that day, are easier and funnier to get across verbally without the need to call. Texting everything can be long sometimes. Is also far easier if you're like me and drive for work to simply click a button and say what you need to say or hear what you need to hear.

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peepoobee@reddit

Less pressure, I can just say what I need to say and you can listen any time. Then I won't be distracted by trying to maintain a conversation too

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AtJackBaldwin@reddit

Why do people use text messages? Isn't it easier to call? We've come full circle over the past 25 years.

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distantapplause@reddit

It's not 'easier' in itself to do either, they meet completely different needs. Text messages are asynchronous, so they're better when asynchronous communication is better. Drives me mad when the missus phones me to ask me to pick something up from the shop in a couple of hours. If I'm in a meeting then I'll miss the call, then call her back when she's in a meeting, and then later I'm at the shop with no clue that she wanted anything. Just drop a message and I pick it up at the next convenient point. On the other hand, if I'm out and we're discussing something where a lot of back-and-forth is needed then obviously it's better to do that synchronously.

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hill-biscuit@reddit

It's sort of worst of both. Verbal communication that isn't a conversation

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Housemeee@reddit

I have a few friends who do this and they all have English as a second language and aren't exactly at bilingual proficiency. I never asked them but I figured it's easier and quicker for them to just talk rather than type and worry about spelling and grammar.

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Addictd2Justice@reddit

Because they want to speak to you but not listen to you

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BrightAttitude5423@reddit

1. Elderly folk like to leave voice memos that you can play at your own convenience esp boomers 2. Certain languages are difficult to type using a qwerty keyboard

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JamJarre@reddit

Can't get screengrabbed

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NinjafoxVCB@reddit

Don't use them all the time but sometimes I use them because it's quicker than typing, I can do it while doing something else at the same time and I might not have time to make a phone call when a 45 second voice clip does the job.

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lliiilllollliiill@reddit

If you have unusual or particularly strong preferences or needs surrounding communication, maybe it would be wise to mention that to people you're likely to be in touch with a lot? Rarely, you and another person may discover your needs are too incompatible for casual phone use, but at least you both know that moving forward and can come to some agreement for what to do should anything urgent arise.

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Leykitty@reddit

my sister always sends me voice messages and it makes me feel so awkward when I type to reply, but I feel even more awkward making a voice note

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PoppedMyClogs@reddit

I like my friends and it's nice to hear their voices. It's not really that difficult.

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luujs@reddit

I prefer texts too, but my mum will send them when she’s in the car so she doesn’t have to type. Still probably not the safest thing to do, but better than typing in that situation

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MKAG2008@reddit

I think that voice messages are extraordinary! It’s a way that you can talk to another person quickly, but you don’t need to call them. Calling a person can prove detrimental unless the person knows that you’re planning to call him. Duh, if you have headphones just play the audio, and when it’s done your longed-for music will continue. For many illiterate people, it’s a life saver.

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Her1boyfriend@reddit

The problem already existed with answering machines for which I had to use a tape. People babbling incoherently for two minutes, at the end of which I had no idea what they were on about. I quickly learnt I was better off without it. If they did that to me on WhatsApp I'd tell them to text me and stop babbling.

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Poes-Lawyer@reddit

Because sometimes it's nice to hear the other person's voice and it's not possible to call. One of my best friends often works late shifts and I usually don't have time for personal phone calls during the working day (standard office hours), so she will leave me voice notes on WhatsApp. And I love hearing them as I'm leaving work. Plus they're more convenient for the sender and not much more inconvenient for the recipient, so it's pretty much win-win. I don't understand the hate for voice messages. If you don't like them, then don't use them?

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jiggerriggeroo@reddit

Some people have literacy issues. My friend from Africa only voice messages. I’m not sure if she can read and write.

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itsmiathermopolips@reddit

Lol I don't really have a problem with people sending me voice messages but I find it funny how they apologise for sending them but then continue to do it anyway

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RocketCat287@reddit

My sister in law is dyslexic so she prefers it by far, so I do them for her. I prefer long messages though- but I’m an odd type who prefers everything written down rather than in pictures, audio or video.

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DeepSpaceAce@reddit

I prefer the middle ground of voice to text personally

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ficus77@reddit

I only exchange voice messages with people who are also down with it. It's nice to hear my friends' voices. I think it has a place between the typed text and a committed phone call.

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purrrrfect2000@reddit

It’s easier to send a voice note, not easier to receive one

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polyphuckin@reddit

They're alright and if you're listening to a voice note in WhatsApp and put the phone to your ear it switches speakers to the little ear piece instead of the big speaker.

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VivelaVendetta@reddit

I just sent one to my friend because she's at work and I was driving and wanted to give her the tea right away.

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RiveriaFantasia@reddit

A close friend of mine has ADHD and is dyslexic and she prefers sending and receiving voice messages to texts which surprised me because I thought a text would be easier for her to read, respond to and use to remember what I’ve said to her but she prefers voice notes. Personally with a text I’ll respond much quicker but with a voice note I’ll take my time to respond because I have to find time to listen to it, I may be outside without earphones and not able to listen easily and also I need the privacy to respond especially if it’s regarding something personal / sensitive. So voice notes in most cases are not ideal. When talking to someone who lives in a different time zone they can work well and give you time to respond and for the person to listen to in their own time. Other than that I don’t see the point either, I’m with you on that one.

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Coolwater-bluemoon@reddit

Quicker to leave voice note than call. Quicker to leave voice note than text. Simples.

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nadalofsoccer@reddit

Late to the party, but this is something I haven't read in the thread so of course I had to show how clever I am. Intonation is key. For instance that last sentence I wrote can rub people the wrong way, but if you're a funny guy you can pull it off. Things like irony or apologies or a simple message can be misconstrued without the intonation. That's why I personally prefer audios sometimes. Also, they are more practical than a call, because you can listen to ut when you have time (or you are in the right mood for whatever it could be)

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Initial_Comparison10@reddit

My brother does it because he is essentially blind, so it's easier than trying to type. However , 99% of people are not, so in their case I have no fuckin clue.

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MartyMcFlybe@reddit

I use them for quite complicated stories, or just anything where vocal emphasis will help. Or if I was in the middle of a text convo but I'm out and now have my hands too full to type. I don't expect people to listen in the moment but I should clarify that more. And i like receiving voice messages out of the blue. Imo calls likely take too long - it's to minimise what I'm saying to less than a minute, or a couple minute chunks if needed, without an absolute wall of text or a call in the middle of the day. I only do it with close friends so I'd like to think they know I only do it when I'm super enthused, so it's pretty rare.

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GoldenFaeWattle@reddit

Cause it's easier to communicate emotion and tone, while not demanding the recipients undivided attention like a phone call would. If the recipient isn't available for a phone call or even a texting session, this is a happy medium which effectively communicates while still reflecting time constraints.

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codechris@reddit

With some it's better with some it's worse. Honestly it's personal preferance. Long catch up chats every few weekw I think are so much easier by voice. But if people are sending voice notes of "hey mate how are you" then yeah that sounds shit

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2Fast2Mildly_Peeved@reddit

Sometimes it's simpler to explain it via a voice message where tone might be important. I very rarely do it, but occasionally it makes sense.

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pepe612@reddit

Can't be bothered to type Want to get my emotions across.

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False-Ad-2823@reddit

In a long conversation where you’re texting each other over and over again and you’re just actually talking, not in the middle of something else, it’s nice to hear the voice, I quite like them. I also like when my girlfriend sends me a good morning through voice, it’s just nice sometimes. I have a couple of friends that live in different time zones and often we’ll leave each other messages that are just intended for whenever you’re awake/have the time, since its rare that we’re free at the same time. It’s just quite nice some of the time

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CJ_Murv@reddit

Adhd, dyslexic and jave a really intense job. Sometimes at the end of the day I am almost completely burnt out I'd like to send a semi long series of questions/conversation to a friend and I can't deal with typing anymore. I also know that they're incredibly busy and won't reply straight away and I'm okay with that So I send a voice message

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Selfish_Prince@reddit

It's the best of both worlds. You don't have to guess what someone is feeling, because you get to hear the tone of their voice and the emotion within it and also, you don't have to sit in awkward silence while you're thinking up a response.

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Dickcheese_McDoogles@reddit

- allows you to "text" while walking (or just while you're otherwise engaged) without having to make a dedicated phone call - allows for the nuances of vocal tone to be conveyed (again, without having to make a whole phone call) - probably less tiresome both to receive and to make a minute-long voice recording than an essay-length page of text - allows for a middle ground between the coldness of text and the time-involvement of a phone call

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kebabish@reddit

I can't read urdu, my nan can't type in English so for me and her, sending a voice message is just perfect. I suspect it gets used a lot by older folk. Pretty essential tbh in a modern messaging app.

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Mysterious_Soft7916@reddit

I prefer text only. Someone sends a voice note it'll be a while before it gets listened too, that's if I listen to it at all.

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randompanda91@reddit

I get hand pains in my wrists and fingers, so if I'm having a pain flare day it saves my hands a bit

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nicotineapache@reddit

Easier for me to get that point across. Its the way things are, deal with it and grow up, jesus.

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OriginalName687@reddit

To lazy to text but don’t want to get trapped in a call.

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fahhgedaboutit@reddit

I send voice messages a lot to my friends from my home country who are in a totally different time zone. I want to hear their voices but we’re rarely free at the same time, so we leave each other long messages and it feels like we’re catching up that way. There’s no pressure to listen or respond right away, we just do whenever we have time.

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Internetstranger9@reddit

They don't feel like typing

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__reddictator@reddit

im lazy but also it helps me personally convey my msg easier , if i type something jts almost certain i fuck uo in txt, n think about it more than if i were to vn.

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TwinSong@reddit

Probably find it easier than typing.

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pmabz@reddit

I text; she sends voice messages. It suits us perfectly

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_000001_@reddit

>Just fucking call or text me. Oh! Er right. So, ... are we friends now? ;P

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missxtx@reddit

I love a voice note, you can hear the tone in which they are trying to portray something. I honestly hate being on the phone… I hate lulls in conversations but your both to polite to end the call, sometimes my friends go on for ages in the phone too n I’m trying to go about my life, I can’t go about my life on the phone. Me n my friends send a thumbs up or down if it’s ok to be opened in public 🤣🤣. Agreed it’s inconvenient to listen when out… but also when I’m out and busy I wouldn’t be reading a 3 paragraph message, will get it when I get to it.

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TheScientistBS3@reddit

I message for the most part, but sometimes I want to say something that would take ages to type but isn't quite enough for a phone call, so a 20 second voice message does it. I only really send them to people that I know will send one back, so it's a "know your audience" kinda thing.

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Lifeissuffering1@reddit

I find them rude and lazy, like their time is worth more than yours akin to a PA transcribing dictation. I just won't listen to them unless I feel like it now. Which is pretty rare. Slower than an actual physical mailed letter.

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otter_patrol@reddit

Because of RSI in wrists, which I think is reasonable..

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daskeleton123@reddit

My sister does it because she has dyslexia so it’s easier to communicate.

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ThatsWhatSheSang@reddit

I like them. Whether it’s just to hear someone’s voice and not commit to a full on phone call (which I hate), or to add context and emotion to a story that doesn’t translate to text. To each their own..

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conciergeofcringe@reddit

If it's a close friend or family, I like it. It's like having a phone call that I can do in pieces when I feel like it. Anyone else who does it to me gets this as a reply. "I'm not able to listen to voice memos right now. Please text back any urgent information requiring a response".

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DefinitelyNG@reddit

I for one am in favour of a voice clip than an unexpected phonecall

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LouieMcLouison@reddit

I'm a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to voice messages. I like sending them as it's sometimes quicker and easier to explain BUT at the same time I don't like receiving them, lol. Like you said, it's a hassle listening to them in public without my earphones, and I struggle to remember everything that was said when I reply.

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penguin62@reddit

Some things are easier to say in voice. They might be hard to phrase through text or too long to be worth doing.

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PaulotheLimey@reddit

Dictation tools are getting better but they aren’t perfect. Amongst people I know, it’s mainly those who are communicating in a second language who often use voice notes as it’s easier to remember how to say something than it is to remember how to spell it

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Zorolord@reddit

Laziness.

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Rare_Sample8282@reddit

Because it's easy to do and it's asynchronous and it requires less focus / dexterity. Not rocket science

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Tasha0705@reddit

Finally someone with my energy! Thank you OP!

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graphitelord@reddit

Me and my bro use it for bouncing ideas back and fore when we're both chilling indoors

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AndyVale@reddit

Usually I send them when I'm carrying something, or I need to make sure the tone of my voice is clear.

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JPSR1875@reddit

What does "call me" mean? Never heard of it, text will do just fine thanks

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dancutty@reddit

This entire thread makes me think that people really need to get a grip and stop making every little thing into an affliction.

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SuzLouA@reddit

My best friend and I both have a toddler and a breastfeeding baby. Voice messages are fast and can be done hands free!

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entombed_pit@reddit

I felt like this until I got into them. I reckon I send some 30 minutes a week of voice messages to friends and get them back. Between a few friends. I listen to them driving to work like podcasts. They're about our work, parenting, life stuff. We of course ring and meet up when we can but they are such a fulfilling, important part of my life. I love also that they provide a legacy and story of my life my kids could one day listen to when I'm gone.

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LanguageSponge@reddit

The only person who sends me voice messages suffers from terrible hand cramps and carpal tunnel syndrome, so voice messages are easier for her. I don’t always have my phone on me, and it’s always on silent anyway, so ringing me wouldn’t do much good.

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Shallowground01@reddit

I never got it before having 2 young kids 2 years apart. Now with a 1 and 3 year old I never have any time for a phone call or to text out long messages so I tend to just send voice notes as it's quicker if i need to convey something or reply to someone whilst trying to stop my idiots from killing themselves whilst I'm distracted

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Reddit-adm@reddit

My friend does because he has Parkinson's. My partner does it when she's rushing from one client to another, she can walk and talk and look where she's going. I just told her keep it under 20 seconds if possible and if I'm on a work call I can't listen to it. Speaking to Siri or whoever and telling them what to type is the best of both worlds I reckon.

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designer_by_day@reddit

I’ve succumbed to using them since having a baby. It’s so difficult for me to get the time to sit and send a full message during the day when I’m taking care of the baby and if I do try, she becomes transfixed on my phone and goes crazy trying to grab the magic light square that’s in front of her, which makes it very hard to type.

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Loner-UK@reddit

I mix in-between both depending on the conversation and how complex it's become.

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Hurlbag@reddit

I had a friend who'd always do this.. always made me feel awkward replying back in normal text, so sometimes i'd just reply to him with voice messages and then have the uncontrollable urge to play them back to myself and go "ugh why do I sound like that"

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AWhistlingWoman@reddit

Don’t always have time to have a phone call, but want to talk. My friends and I send updates to one another via voice notes - usually up to 30 minutes long. Then we can listen at our leisure and send when convenient, rather than both being available at the same time. I listen to them like podcasts and really enjoy hearing my friends voices and being able to wash up or whatever, and have them chat away to me.

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jredland@reddit

One of my friends speaks English very well but has a harder time writing it since Spanish his mother tongue. If we’re commuting anything more than basic stuff we tend to use voice memos. I’ve come to appreciate the human touch of the voice memos too.

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jowiejojo@reddit

I also hate it, but I have work colleagues where English isn’t their first language, they speak it perfectly but find text harder so they prefer voice messages.

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elladeehex33@reddit

My grandad sends them because he can't read or write very well and I never answer the phone.

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younevershouldnt@reddit

Not even to your grandad? 😢

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Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

My elderly dad phones and I don't answer but just because I keep my phone on silent and don't look at it if busy or driving or whatever. I keep trying to get my parents to text me in advance to arrange a time to talk but they don't. I do phone back when I can though.

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SongokuJidai@reddit

I'm the same. Why would I want my phone to make noise every so often, especially when I'm watching videos and it constantly cuts the sound out? I also work nights so I don't want to be woken up in the day. I'll get your message when I look at my phone, not the other way around.

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NaniFarRoad@reddit

My mum calls me about 22 times every week, I wake up to 32+ whatsapp messages every day, and sometimes it's just a stream of vnotes that contain sounds of the tv shows she's watching. I've had to mute her because otherwise I'm unable to do my (paid) job. I've worked evenings and weekends for 10+ years, I'm so fed up with relatives calling me while I'm at work, when I occasionally forget to turn the phone silent. And when I remind them for the umpteenth time that I was with a client, I get a long lecture on how hard I'm working blah blah. Some of these people HAVE to be muted or it's chaos.

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HorseFacedDipShit@reddit (OP)

Answer your grandads calls.

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weavin@reddit

I like hearing peoples voices

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charley_warlzz@reddit

Its because they struggle with typing (especially with longer texts) or take too long with it, but they dont want to call you because a phone call is completely different than a casual text, even a voice note one.

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texpazil@reddit

Ok boomer

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str8dropliving@reddit

I’m the total opposite to this I use voicenotes more regularly than a text or and written message. I couldn’t tell you why I feel I get my points across better maybe I dunno. I also feel like I have a lot to say so a voice note jus makes it more efficient! Wish I coulda voicenoted this!😂

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Moist_gooch90@reddit

They're stupid, I was once messaging a girl who'd send voice messages, but she'd cover like four or five topics on one message. So when I went to reply I'd have to play a long ass message multiple times to make sure I responded to all of her points. I'm glad it didn't work out.

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Medium-Science9526@reddit

Never have I agreed with a post more before, its the worst when it's work related with multiple voice messages with the person mumbling so you'd have to replay them to here what they said better.

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twopeasandapear@reddit

You'd die at mine and my friends sometimes 20 minute voice notes. It's a way for us to update each other, without the commitment of a call. We both have very different schedules, so maybe a time for me to call isn't suitable for her. So listening to a voice note kinda summarises our day and we can ask questions about it. If we do call, it can be over an hour and that's just not practical for either of us.

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TheMediaBear@reddit

if you want a laugh, send a voice text to your mum but cut off the last couple of words, then reply and do the same, and keep doing it until she's screaming at you :D

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nepourjoueraubingo@reddit

Also weird seeing people listen to them with their phones perpendicular to their heads - just hold it like a normal phone and you can hear it just fine

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NaniFarRoad@reddit

I don't know if it's because I'm getting old and my ears are getting juicy, but I find that if I hold the phone up to my ear to listen to a vnote, and the screen accidentally touches my ear, the message pauses/the screen is turned off/some other such thing. It's less annoying to keep the phone on a surface, or in front of your face.

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Perception_4992@reddit

Why do you need headphones, can’t you just put your phone against your ear?

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chriskeene@reddit

I do this quite a bit with friends, it's a halfway house between calling and texting. It feels more personal and you can hear their tone and their mood, but doesn't take 100% of your time like a call, you can go back and forth with a conversation of sorts while doing something else (cooking or whatever) each responding when they have a sec to listen to the last message and respond. You can listen while out, just hold your phone to your ear. And the way we use it, you can ask questions. Not saying right for all situations but just saying it works for me

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NaniFarRoad@reddit

>You can listen while out, just hold your phone to your ear. Absolutely not - it gets listened to at home where I'm not going to accidentally disclose personal stuff to strangers.

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fromwayuphigh@reddit

Yep, not a voice note guy either. Fucking write it down.

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hogger85@reddit

I put this with having to watch a YouTube video to get a tip on say a computer thing. I just want a page of text where I can get to the sentence I need. Not getting me the o like and subscribe, listen to you sooner, get ten minute backstory and then the tip.

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katiebear1044@reddit

1,000,000%

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TheHelpfulRecruiter@reddit

Some things don’t translate well over text. Jokes, sarcasm, anecdotes etc. That’s where voice notes are your friend.

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RoyalCultural@reddit

Some people have legit cause to use them (dyslexia, older folks, had injuries etc). That said, in my circle the people who usually send them to me are very extroverted sorts who really do love the sound of their own voice and don't even listen to other people during conversations anyway. This is the perfect communication medium for these kind of self centered people.

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walisiske@reddit

Cynical. My friends who I voice note with actually like listening to each other for a long time, which I would argue is actually quite the opposite of being self-centred. It also stops interruptions and tangents which can happen within the excitement and energy of "live" conversations, meaning you really giving the person time to express themselves and feel their feelings out.

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benemivikai4eezaet0@reddit

Too long to text, not urgent enough to immediately call?

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aredditusername69@reddit

Its loads easier than sending a long text wtf

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Whosyirdaddy@reddit

I dont do them myself but my mates do im old skool but each to their own

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ClarifyingMe@reddit

It wouldn't be an issue for me if WhatsApp used a transcribe feature. I cannot remember what people say if it's more than a minute.

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surya753@reddit

If it's mutual it's fine but if one person is texting and the other voice messaging, it's just selfish as you expect people to just sit there listening rather than skimming thru a message.

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Tylerama1@reddit

You can't listen to one when you're out and about without your headphones, then surely you can't take a call either ? It absolutely is easier to do a voice note than type out a long long text, much quicker and easier.

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Mulark_gro-Krognak@reddit

Downvoted inbound but it's easier mate lol push and hold one button or text like I am rn ez dubz

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jar_jar_LYNX@reddit

My girlfriend sends these sometimes at the end of the day because if she's super tired, then she finds texting difficult. She also has adhd so I think that may factor into it. I'm the total opposite and find texting fine if I'm knackered, but I can barely string a coherent sentence together. She doesn't send me them that often, but she sent me some relatively long ones the other night and I found myself taking notes becasue my poor short term memory won't allow for me to remember and respond to everything she has said lol

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Ok_Scientist_8803@reddit

While driving. 95% of the time the signal isn’t good enough to make a call over here. And texting and driving is a no go for some people. Slight downside is that it uses data compared to phone calling but I’ve never used more than 1gb on my WhatsApp every month, even including the occasional image sent and received

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AllThotsGo2Heaven2@reddit

Speech to text is still ass in 2023. Or arse, as you say.

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The_internet_policee@reddit

My mate does it all the time because he's driving....

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Big-tasty77@reddit

It is easier than sending a long text though. Especially if you are on the move or busy (IE work) sometimes if you ring and say what you need to say you can get pulled into a conversation you don't have time for. Another use is that my little nephews will sing happy birthday to my mum and she likes to keep the message and relisten to it.

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dude___abides@reddit

For the life of me I can’t see how you don’t see the use case for these. No one calls anymore and if they are driving or something or don’t feel like typing something long you can just send a voice message super easy and then they can listen when they get to it. Seems way better than a call

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Organic_Armadillo_10@reddit

I hate them too. It means you often can't check the message easily. You'd either need headphones or find a quiet place to listen to it. And then you have to remember everything they've said. And they're always super long! A short one, maybe if you're busy and it's much quicker to send a voice note it makes more sense. But leaving a 1+ minute message is just annoying.

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creeperedz@reddit

In a voice note I can say a lot more in a lot less time and you don't have to be available when I say it. But I only send voice notes when it's something non-urgent and I know the recipient likes to use voice notes.

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kahana95@reddit

I have a few friends I do voice notes with instead of texts. And it's nice. Bit more personal. Hear their voice, more likely to have a deeper conversation as can go on a bit of a tangent. Less pressure than calls. Yeah what's not to like. And I don't really do them back and forth unless I'm away from my desk and then I usually have my earphones in

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New_Salad_3853@reddit

Most people I know send voice notes it's just quicker and easier. I have no problem with them sending or receiving. Long text messages are just pointless. Just call someone

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TheBlueprint666@reddit

i have voice notes from a friend who passed recently. means more to hear their voice than read their texts

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bonkerz1888@reddit

Ok boomer.

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FlyBuy3@reddit

Sometimes my fingers are too sore to text a long block of info. I use the WhatsApp voice message feature occasionally to take a break from texting, but only to my partner or close friend who understand me.

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_Meds_@reddit

Because sometimes you still wanna communicate asynchronously, but don’t wanna type?

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xch3rrix@reddit

This may be a atypical thing but I'm a voice note person - text sometimes is too taxing for me and a phone call gives anxiety, so voice note makes sense

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User172635@reddit

Why not just use voice to text then? (I personally think messaging services should do this automatically, you can skim the text and decide if you need to listen to the voice note). At the moment you’re placing the onus on the recipient: your time and convenience is more valuable than theirs.

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YazmindaHenn@reddit

>At the moment you’re placing the onus on the recipient: your time and convenience is more valuable than theirs. Well that's just a load of shite, isn't it? No, it's leaving a friend a voicenote to listen to at their own convenience, not a demand that you take their time. Get a grip. >Why not just use voice to text then? Ahhh, you're definitely not Scottish are you? Haha yeah no. If you don't want to use it, that's fine tell people so, but your reasoning is utter bullshit tbh. >decide if they need to listen to the voice note I think it's funny that people can't just use the speed up button and make it 1.5 times or 2x faster to see, and also you guys act like 3 minutes is a lifetime. It's not. You don't need to be staring at the phone. You can be doing other things at the same time.

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User172635@reddit

> If you don't want to use it, that's fine tell people so, but your reasoning is utter bullshit tbh. In what world is: “Text is too taxing for me and I get anxiety about phoning, so I’ll just talk to my phone and you can figure it out” not at least mildly selfish? I haven’t seen anyone give real arguments for it aside from “It’s quicker for me to send a voice note”. It’s quicker and easier for me to receive and understand text (yes even compared to x2 speeds); as such I prefer it. There are certainly some other advantages to voice, like less ambiguous tone and it conveying emotion significantly better, but for basic communication I definitely prefer text personally. I do find it funny how personally you seem to be taking this… My “bullshit reasoning” isn’t even “don’t talk to your phone”, but that your phone should fix the problem for everyone by giving people more options. Sure it might not work as well if you have a strong accent (though I’d be surprised if it wasn’t at least good enough, VTT is remarkably accurate nowadays) but an auto transcription of voice notes would basically solve the main annoyances I have with them, and keep their other advantages.

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EmskiHammer@reddit

I send voice notes for long messages because that way people don't have to listen/reply until they are available (calls have to be answered at that exact time) and I cannot be arsed to wear my thumbs out texting loads of words to you when I can just say them.

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pirateluke@reddit

Sometimes if I'm driving as I can just do it. Or if it's a joke that needs timing or to say things funny

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LickClitsSuckNips@reddit

It's like text messaging but with sound, plus I don't always want to take a call or may be in the middle of a sopranos episode.

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ChineseStudentHere@reddit

Because why spend a couple of minutes writing a txt that’s would only take 20 seconds so say it. Also with a voice message , I can say what I need / want to there and then and they can listen to it and reply whenever they want to or get the chance.

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smiley6125@reddit

I hate them too, but got sent one today as she was driving and didn’t want to forget my message on a busy day.

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AdMajestic3861@reddit

Maybe they can't type eg driving. And no I'm not crossed by this question. Grrr.

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someonerd@reddit

Asynchronous audio communication

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sadforsadboys@reddit

I use voice notes to talk with my granny. She can't see the best and isn't up for full phone calls all the time. She'll happily talk away using them. I would also use them to save me typing out 4+ paragraphs to explain something

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CyberKingfisher@reddit

I hate leaving voicemail. There’s no way I’m leaving voice messages.

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gaming-scientist@reddit

I swear these are the same people who send you “quick call?” message over slack without giving you any description of what is it about

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masterflex11@reddit

"don't tell me that it's easier than text..." 🤣. What can be written in a minute can be recorded and said in 10 seconds, especially due to spelling mistakes and autotext corrections. God this sub is nothing but a place for moaning. Some of you lot really need to get out in the sun and enjoy life.

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MouldyRemote@reddit

everything you are complaining about is a part of a conversation, if you dont want to communicate dont, but this is all situantional, sometimes you can't put what you need to explain into simple words. sometimes other people dont have the time to write or wait for you to pick up the phone, hell they might be in a situation where they cant make a call and but instead of a long winded message, they can say it in a minute or two. now when my partner is driving if i have something important to tell her, like "theres a crash the way you usally go, take a different route so you are not late" i can voice that over to her and she can listen to it with the hands free in her car, no need to pick up her phone no need to endanger her life or the life of someone else and i can get back to whatever im doing which is the case most of the time my partners mother is disabled and i can voice her a message just to let her know her daughter is going to be late for whatever reason as she passes through two dead zones and i can get right back to whatever i was doing again. now you made sure to knock down any excuse cant listen to it in public without headphones, cant go back a reread it i cant always understand and cant ask questions, then have a damn conversation, ask them to explain what you didnt understand, tell them you arnt sure what they are saying and if you cant listen to it in public then dont but you can ask questions. can you repeat that, it wasnt clear? did you say today or tomorrow? arnt these questions? also you dont have to respond to everyone right away, where this thing of responding within a few seconds to a minutes came from, no one knows but the idea of texting was so we could send a message and wait until someone can respond when they could and i know we have the whole i need a response soon but thats where phone calls come into it. i dont text someone wanting them to respond instantly because i understand life happens, people have their own world, their own commitments and their own timeline in which they have to get things done.

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Impulse84@reddit

Well said

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jpswade@reddit

Have you thought about asking the sender?

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Soapy_Von_Soaps@reddit

I use the voice message to sing happy birthday to my friends. My friends and I use it like a radio as well. Pretending to be in the Rough Ramblers (if you know the reference give me a hell yeah).

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ACuriousBagel@reddit

Lots of reasons I've seen covered, but one I haven't seen yet is that foreign language speakers often find speaking it much easier than reading/writing it

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Jolly-Bandicoot7162@reddit

I was sent one once. I still haven't listened to it.

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BigDan1190@reddit

When you want a phone call but neither of you can set aside X amount of time at the same time to do it. Voice notes are brilliant, they are personable and you can convey emotion better whilst at the same time both parties can participate at any time they choose. Voice note haters are an odd bunch.

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ACuriousBagel@reddit

Do you also hate voicemail?

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fellowspecies@reddit

Yes they’re easier, to send. I’m not a fan, but my wife and sober friend have started doing it and then they’re irritated I haven’t responded when I’m at work and have to way to actually listen to them. Also possible to send when driving. And I also hate phone calls.

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Beanruz@reddit

How else do they pull attention in a public quiet place after they've been asked to turn off their music?

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Weak_Remote3787@reddit

People get really defensive when people criticise voice notes lmao.

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NotMyMotherLanguage@reddit

You know that if you press play on the whatsapp message and put the phone at your eat, like when you talk on the phone with someone, you'll hear the message that way? People around you will not hear your message.

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TypicalMonner@reddit

Just call me. Does my head in when people text…

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pianoandrun@reddit

Exactly!!!

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mercenaryarrogant@reddit

Isn’t the main reason people use that for security?

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THE_BOKEH_BLOKE@reddit

Too much to say for me to be bothered to type. I don’t want to actually speak to you. 🤷🏻‍♂️

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Troby01@reddit

As a drug dealer you should know why.

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Royal_Difficulty_678@reddit

If I spend all day on a computer typing for work, the last thing I want to do is continue typing messages when I’m not at work.

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indefatigable_@reddit

As with 99% of things people complaint about on this sub, it really doesn’t bother me. I would prefer a short, concise text message, but if the sender wants to send me a voice message then I’m not going to get irrationally angry about it.

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Princess_Pineapple_@reddit

It drives me mad as well.

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Iamascifiaddict@reddit

My son lived in a place for a while where the mobile signal was almost non existant. As he had Internet, we messaged on that instead.

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Outrageous_Age_9004@reddit

You can’t listen to a two minute recording if out and about without headphones? Just press play and stick the phone to your ear, it ain’t difficult.

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crochettankenfaus@reddit

Protip: you can hold it to your ear like a phone call

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catsvbadgers@reddit

Theres a time and a place for them. A good story is better in a vn, Texting doesn't convey much. Also useful if the story is good enough to tell to multiple people.. Theres etiquette to them i think. Absolutely cannot stand bad ones ..the ones that go on and on with loads of mid sentence distractions or even other conversations?! Outrageous

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bluebullbruce@reddit

You know you can just start the message and then put the phone to your ear and listen to it that way right?

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ThrustersToFull@reddit

I had an intern recently who had never made a phone call in her life. Texts and voice notes - that was it. Was COMPLETELY freaked out when I insisted she place a telephone call to get something sorted out. Then she was blown away by how quickly it was all done and dusted once the call was finished. Honestly man, we are regressing as a species.

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Apprehensive-Book776@reddit

in short, it’s definitely a trendy thing to do atm. been on and off dating apps for the last while now and a lot of profiles have in their bios how using the voice note feature is a must. kinda weird but do you ig.

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Othersideofthemirror@reddit

my wife uses it instead of texts when pushing buggy/dealing with toddler. its about her convenience, not mine. im cool with that.

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adammiles292929@reddit

Driving

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tjamos8694@reddit

Can’t screenshot it. No evidence

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nick_of_the_night@reddit

I think they do have some utility but people who send every message like that for no good reason drive me mad as well. I even started doing it myself for a while after working for a boss who used WhatsApp like that. It's a disease.

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Sexy-Dumbledore@reddit

I hate phone calls but I love voice notes. I'm an extremely busy person and don't have time to sit and text sometimes. It's less time-consuming to send a quick voice note. It's okay if people don't want to reply via voice note, I just wouldn't be able to reply as much if I couldn't send them.

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Scrambledpeggle@reddit

I do it to annoy you

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OldLevermonkey@reddit

1. You need inflection to convey meaning. 2. It is not concenient to type. 3. Quicker and easier.

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jingo800@reddit

It's a good compromise between being put on the spot to respond, like can happen sometimes during a call, and properly conveying what you mean through verbal communication rather than text.

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SweetxLavendar@reddit

My boyfriend and I are long distance. And every day we send each other “good morning” and “good night” messages. Hearing his voice in the morning and before I go to bed helps me feel close to him, and makes the distance feel a little less far.

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No-Wish2154@reddit

My pals dyslexic and we do it as it’s a lot easier for her. Also easier to understand tone etc

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Outcasted_introvert@reddit

🚩

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ShadowxOfxIntent@reddit

Because texting barely expresses the range of emotion that a voice does whilst also not having my phone glued to my hand

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plumbgray222@reddit

Because its quicker and easier to send a voice message than texting, and I don't have to speak with you if I busy or not feeling sociable.

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mybestie245@reddit

Sometimes I’m in a rush to text. And I can’t always put my thoughts down properly in a text message so that’s why I voice note

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alysmeganx@reddit

I have a friends group chat that is about 80% voice notes, often 5-10 mins long. One member is in Australia travelling and when we tried to get I touch through calls no one was ever free because of the time difference so we spent a long time not really speaking much but since we have started the voice notes we "talk" very often, usually only going a few days at most where no one sends something. It's nicer to hear a friend's voice when you haven't seen them for years than just read a text and much easier to get inflection and stuff across.

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BlueHatesYou@reddit

People with dyslexia, people who English isn't their first language, when someone can be misinterpreted over text because of the lack of tone, a voice message is more personal than a text. There are plenty of reasons, I used to never use them, now there are certain people I use them with exclusively

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tilman2015@reddit

People are entitled and think their time is more important than yours.

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CoffeeIgnoramus@reddit

I can tell you because I'm someone who's been converted. I don't do it for everything, but I do use them regularly. It's way quicker than texting complex info but also allows for me to send it whenever and not disturb the other person and maybe I don't have time for a chat, but a quick voice message will get the info there. Also, you might not be free for a call. Note: I only do it with people who are comfortable with voice messages.

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Vivid-Possibility324@reddit

Sometimes if ur walking and need to say something that's like 20 secs, it makes more sense to send a quick voice note if u can't focus on typing instead of calling. Too short to call.

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Askduds@reddit

Agreed. But also, never call me.

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_thefaded_@reddit

I use them when I’m holding the baby and only have one hand free.

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TheBedouin1@reddit

You control the conversation, you start and stop when you want, and can revise and delete it otherwise, no pressure of ending the call awkwardly, can respond in your own time when you have through through a response, etc

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Dannybuoy77@reddit

My mum will happily leave a 3 minute rambling message on WhatsApp. I was so bloody grateful they added the x2 speed feature. It's still painful to head her babble on about nothing in particular but it eases the pain and little

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Traditional_Sell_688@reddit

Exactly, I've told my daughter to NEVER send them to me because I will not be listening to them ever.

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aptom203@reddit

It doesn't matter if you're busy when you receive it, you can listen to it when you're no longer busy, and some people don't like texting.

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Hotbitch2019@reddit

If a friend a good drama and I don't have time for a 40 min call I love it and listen like a lil podcast lol! Also if I am busy /on way out etc a quick voice note is so much easier to send than thinking n typing it out

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fiftynotdead@reddit

Tips is one of my pet peeves

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horn_and_skull@reddit

My friends who speak English as a second language tend to prefer voice messages because they don’t need to bother with thinking too hard about grammar and spelling (if they make a few mistakes whilst speaking it’s much easier to follow than when written incorrectly or idiosyncratically).

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mcal9909@reddit

My misses sends me voice chats when shes out doing sets on horses. Alot easier than texting.

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xcapades@reddit

In the same way you have communication preferences so do other people. So confused why VNs makes so many people in the comments so angry! Voice notes are often better to tell a short story that doesn’t need an entire phone call. Better than having paragraphs of text or if something needs to be explained I’m detail. No they aren’t always convenient I usually just respond saying hey can’t listen to this for a while. Either get a thumbs up or a quick text if anything is urgent, usually the former.

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hill-biscuit@reddit

I think it's the thought that they're more convenient for the sender than the receiver that really gets to people

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stolethemorning@reddit

Depends what you’re comparing it to. It’s more convenient for the receiver compared to a phone call, but less than a text. And getting a long-ish story through text isn’t something I really want to receive because it’s hard to gauge emotion, but a voice note makes it way more entertaining and allows for tone of voice.

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Soupppdoggg@reddit

It seems to me there’s a split in the comments. People have different reading abilities (for whatever reason) I think is an important point to consider. It’s annoying to receive a voice note that is 5mins and is just someone downloading their thoughts, when 100 words could have summarised it, where they are perfectly capable of writing out. I have an app that converts the speech to text, when you see someone’s speech written in text, it just shows you how rambling it often is - I might well copy and paste it back in the WhatsApp to show what the sender’s ramblings look like in a searchable form. Tldr; there’s a time and a place, but it’s generally a slow process for the recipient.

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re_de_unsassify@reddit

I ignore voice messages even from my parents

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theaveragemillenial@reddit

So in this thread we have people too anxious to text, people too anxious for phone calls, and people too anxious for voice notes. We need to legalise recreational drug use people it's too late.

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-Precious_Gem@reddit

There are very limited circumstances I'll accept voice notes: someone's driving and has a message to convey (not just chit chat), and someone has a one-off story to tell that'll take too lone to type - -again no chit chat.

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pedROfilul@reddit

Is easier for them. Like if they are driving or doing something. Or just lazy

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Cotyledontanddo@reddit

Language is spoken first, read second. Totally with you that some messages can’t be listened to straight away. However, there is so much more a speaker can convey with sound when answers are complex.

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beskar-mode@reddit

The only time I do is if I'm telling a story and I have to show someone's tone.

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ReynoldsHouseOfShred@reddit

Its the modern day speakerphone call. I hate it

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Metori@reddit

Good when the sender is busy and wants to send a longer than normal message about something. Kind of annoying for the recipient. My mom like to send me voice messages when she is busy. I don’t mind cause she speak for like 20min and I can just 2x that and get through it quicker. I’d rather not get a call cause that will be an hour minimum.

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Juicylucyfullofpoocy@reddit

>For the life of me I don’t understand why you’d send someone one! That says more about your ability to understand things. >And don’t make the argument that it’s easier than sending a long text. It isn’t. How? It is obviously and objectively easier speaking into a phone than typing every single individual letter you’d want to say in a long text. >I can’t listen to a two minute recording if I’m out and about without my headphones. Ummm, ofcourse you can? If you’re driving it’s much easier to press play on a voice recording than try and read a long text. If you’re on public transport you can just hold your phone up to your ear if you don’t want to disturb anyone… >I can’t go back and reread something to make sure I understood what you were talking about. Again, ofcourse you can go back and re listen to something, apparently another problem with your ability to understand things. >I can’t always understand what you’re saying and I can’t ask questions. Again, another problem with your ability to understand the world around you. Why can you not ask questions in exactly the same way you’d reply to a text? >Just fucking call or text me For you to be this pissed off about voice messages that you’d post to Reddit about it in search of support says a lot about you as a person. Yours sincerely, someone who also never uses voice messages, but has never felt the need to cry to strangers on the internet about others doing so.

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HorseFacedDipShit@reddit (OP)

I think the fact that you spent this much time typing a shitty response to my post says far more about you as a person…

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Juicylucyfullofpoocy@reddit

Ok, u/HorseFacedDipShit! XD

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CassYavoo@reddit

Because they're selfish. It's easier for the sender, but harder for the receiver. It's a shitty move

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Grouchy_Ad8628@reddit

Because listening to voice message shows it as read. You can send a text message and someone can read it from the notification box, which just leaves you on delivered, and not read. Sending voice messages lets you know it's been definitely read, unlike text being read without opening the app and leaving you hanging. Also you can't screen shot a voice message. So I know people who share juicy things over voice to protect themselves.

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DarkHorseStoryTeller@reddit

Almost as bad as 99% of voicemails. "Hi, just calling to see you're alright/if you wanted to do something later. Give me a call back when you get this." Yep, I would jave seeing as I'd have a missed call and now had to losted to the entire message just to delete it.

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rcxhc@reddit

I have really bad thumbs. (Literally had a steroid injection and MRI’s to work out if I need surgery about a fortnight ago). Sometimes I can’t text for long times. If I have a long message to convey, voice notes make sense to me. Some people I only converse with on WhatsApp via voice note. I can’t always take a call, and neither can the other person. So they can listen when they’re comfy, or while they’re cleaning the house, etc. and respond how they see fit.

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Parking_Ad3454@reddit

Sometimes I dont know how to word stuff on text but I also dont have the time/want to do a phone call.

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TheFugitiveSock@reddit

I send them to my father because he’s legally blind and can’t read the text. I send them to a colleague because she’s dyslexic. I send them randomly to others if I have more to say than can easily be typed and a phone call isn’t appropriate. My mother sent me them occasionally. Since she died they’re the only recording I have of her voice.

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lucasarat@reddit

For things which are quicker to explain via speech as opposed to text but aren’t worth having a full conversation about

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CatFoodBeerAndGlue@reddit

>And don’t make the argument that it’s easier than sending a long text. It isn’t. I can’t listen to a two minute recording if I’m out and about without my headphones. It's easier for them, not for you.

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totallydegen@reddit

I want to speak with you about something, not enough to call you though. Also too lazy to text. Therefore voice note

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Ok_Owl_2625@reddit

I use them more with my dyslexic friends, as they prefer to send and receive them. I prefer sending them to sending long texts, but I prefer receiving the long text>the voice mail when I'm on the reveiving end so I try to type it out if I can. Sometimes though, especially I need to send it more quickly, I have a lot of trouble articulating myself while writing, so I prefer to send a voice message.

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mesonofgib@reddit

I also feel like this (sometimes it's really nice to hear the person's voice, but as a way of actually transferring it's pretty crap). Fortunately no one that I message regularly uses them. My wife and her friends use them a lot, and my wife gave the reason that it's much more convenient to send long messages that way. She did also say, however, that she and her friends are fully aware of the downsides too. So, i introduced her to voice typing (the little microphone key on your keyboard) and for her _it's a revelation_! All the advantages for the sender, none of the downsides for the recipient. There'll always be a place for voicemail, where the person's voice is actually heard, but now there's no longer the convenience difference between the two.

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_demidevil_@reddit

Had you considered that lot everyone’s brain works like yours? People all have their own communication preferences, all are equally valid. If you can take a phone call you can listen to a voice note. It’s literally the same action, holding the phone to your ear. I personally hate phone calls. I find them intrusive. You need to tend to it immediately, then people can interrupt you. They might call when you’re on the loo or otherwise occupied. I much prefer listening to voice notes over reading long texts - it’s like a podcast from a friend! Just put your headphones on an listen while you’re washing dishes. If you can’t listen just text “can’t listen right now, will get back to you later”. L

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caruynos@reddit

you can even listen on the loo! hahaha

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thevacantthroughfare@reddit

I send voice messages in two contexts. One - there's a sound or a joke that doesn't translate well to text that wish to convey. Certain noises that come from the human mouth are VERY hard to replicate in text. Two - I'm freaking out about something and only have one hand free (the last time I did this was the April Fool thing for overwatch, I was halfway through a game and had died and was freaking out about the googly eyes, my other half just got voice clips going "OMIGOD THE GOOGLY EYES ARE EVERYWHERE! THEY'RE ON THE PAYLOAD THIS IS AMAZING", etc, because screw typing in a ten second spawn window

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Da_Starjumper_n_n@reddit

I heard some people use it so they don't get interrupted. When you are texting sometimes the other person can intersect with a text and derail the conversation . A voice message forces them to LISTEN before answering.

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Scusme@reddit

My disabled friend finds it easier than typing

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TheInvisibleWun@reddit

I can't stand voice notes. My hackles rise immediately

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allday95@reddit

It's like less annoying voice mail I think it's great

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foulfaerie@reddit

Sometimes my hands are full and I don’t wanna actually speak to someone.

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ArtoriasBeaIG@reddit

Why dont you ask them yourself instead of having a meltdown on reddit 🤣 holy fuck dude are you alright?! 🤣

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NervousMission7644@reddit

Speaking is easier than typing, and voice messages let you re-listen to something incase you missed something. Very convenient

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Practical_System_632@reddit

I know someone who doesn't read well... he uses it. I use it if I don't actually want to have a conversation but I want you to hear the tone of my voice. I use it more with sensitive souls who jump to the negative without giving a thought to a positive or innocent explanation for something. They need that info that tone and pitch bring. I also use it when I'm bursting to tell you something. Typing takes too long. I'm also lazy. Mainly the sensitive souls thing. Are you someone who automatically jumps to the worst possible connotation? Are you paranoid? Do you think the world is a terrible place and everyone is just waiting for the chance to fuck you over?

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cmzraxsn@reddit

I don't know anyone that does this in the regular, I feel like it hasn't caught on here like it has in other countries, actually.

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Fumb-MotherDucker@reddit

because theyre basically hands free, take seconds to make/ingest and speech is a much better quality form of communication than the written word. I can explain something complex very quickly through voice notes that I wouldn't even attempt to write down in text. as a busy busy chef, voice notes are a godsend!

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Accurate_Estimator@reddit

My generic response to a voice note is, “I’m not listening to that, if it’s that important text” I’ve annoyed a lot of friends but it’s a way to not have to listen to their inane thoughts. I used to listen but when it’s mainly “I’m bored this is what is going through my head right now” I don’t give a shit.

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taylorstillsays@reddit

Great friend

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cbren88@reddit

My wife does it when she’s pushing the pram and can’t text, and I’m working so she can’t call me. Works well.

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moneydazza@reddit

Did you write this post on your rocking chair with a blanket over your lap OP? ;) I hate them. But I have a few friends that use them and sometimes I’ll return the message the way it’s received depending on where I am. Wouldn’t dare do it in public. But yeah. Generally I don’t like them.

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Dragon_M4st3r@reddit

Fucks me right off. The idea of sending a long voice note terrifies me, I'd have to rehearse it eight times and probably get it on the fifth take. Then you have to try and keep the whole thing in your memory so you can reply to everything they said, and you forget a bit and have to fast forward through the whole thing again because you can't remember where the bit you forgot is

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taylorstillsays@reddit

You’re overthinking it to a ridiculous extent. Do you rehearse phone calls 5 times over too? Do you have a problem with not being able to fast forward through the whole thing again when listening to someone speak in person?

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YazmindaHenn@reddit

You can just type back, and send it in small messages? You can pause them too, to give yourself time to reply to a specific bit

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Katharinemaddison@reddit

Sometimes our Alexa does something weird like play the Darth Vader theme unasked when we’re causally chatting about danger zones if a nuclear bomb hits, or Yodelling music when we’ve asked for a far more ordinary genre, or playing Churchill’s speech announcing Britain was at war when we ask for the news. That’s what I use voice notes for. To shared Alexa’s unhinged responses.

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taylorstillsays@reddit

> why not just text Far easier to get a message across orally than it is writing it down. Especially if it’s not just a straightforward point/question. > why not call It isn’t urgent so you can listen/respond whenever suits you best. Also means you can keep the message whereas you can’t repeat a phone call.

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Plugged_in_Baby@reddit

Lol who calls anyone anymore? I like voice notes because I can convey tone and I don’t have to think about my wording too much. I wouldn’t leave one about anything urgent, but it’s a nice way to communicate asynchronously. And I hate typing.

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bluesam3@reddit

You're comparing to the wrong things: it's a dramatic improvement over talking to someone's answerphone.

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Jack-Rabbit-002@reddit

I'm gonna get crucified but it's stupid to avoid our differences I always find it's Lasses that do it more like Friends or Cousins you message them that's how they respond ......even though they know I'll never bite like!

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Best-Tomorrow231@reddit

I just don’t get why you wouldn’t do voice to text

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azuleuluci@reddit

I think we've established it's easier for the sender. Tbh it's not too helpful when I'm in work and I can't really listen to it. I had one recently that was about 8 or so mins long so had to take myself off to a room to listen to it lol. I don't hate them but I'm glad I don't get them too often as I dont find it convenient most of the time.

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anonnautilus@reddit

It takes me a long time to text cos my fingers text wrong alphabets often. Sending a msg is faster n sometimes the other end is bz n calling might disturb person at work.

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useful-idiot-23@reddit

You can’t lift your phone to your ear to listen to a message? You don’t have to do it on speaker.

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ReignOfWinter@reddit

If its a funny story I'd much rather hear the person's joy in their voice than read a text where the humour gets lost/diluted.

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StuLife101@reddit

I DoN’t LiKe ChAnGe

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greenbeast999@reddit

I absolutely love them for chatting with my friends but there's definitely many cases where i wouldn't use them

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space0watch@reddit

My siblings started doing this and it's so annoying.

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BxNycbatteri@reddit

Some people are illiterate and voice messages allow them to still communicate with making a call.

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ArgentStar@reddit

I dislike them for the same reasons, but they are easier than typing a long message on a small phone screen. At least they are for those of us that didn't grow up with them. I'm a good typist on a keyboard, so if I want to send a long text message, I'll sign into WhatsApp's web app. But I do understand why people choose voice messages sometimes. Even though I really wish they wouldn't.

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minkrogers@reddit

Maybe convenient for the sender but not for the receiver. As someone who works full time, so I'm in the office more than I'm actually at home, I just couldn't listen to them during the working day! My Husband, Family and friends who message often, I can quickly scan their messages and get notifications on a smart watch. I can do this discreetly and check there is nothing urgent and reply as needed. Voice messages I couldn't listen to until my lunch break by which time, a reply may be too late. Thankfully no one I know uses them.

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curium99@reddit

When did ADHD become so prevalent?

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curium99@reddit

I hate them. The fact that they are popular with some of my lesser educated relatives leads me to believe (perhaps incorrectly) that it’s favoured because they don’t have to remember how to spell. It’s definitely less convenient for the recipient than a text.

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Ant0nnnn@reddit

Why does it matter?

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destraight@reddit

Why don't you ask them yourself? You're in contact with them. So ask them why don't they call you?

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astoni2020@reddit

I have autism and whattsapp messages are simpler and I hate phone calls

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newInnings@reddit

In my country. India. Where there are so many languages. ( I can speak 5, incl english. write 2-3) WhatsApp allows me to talk with people who speak but cannot write, when they don't pick up the phone. When my language and their language is not common and we have broken words .

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weaseltron7@reddit

Oh wow I’ve been dying to ask this question but at this point was too afraid to ask haha 😂 thanks for taking one for the team

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DemonikJD@reddit

I find it to be a nice middle ground between calling and texting. Sometimes I want to hear people and I want them to hear me. I'm also not the best at communicating so using my voice can convey meaning more than my written ability

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CariRyfedd@reddit

Sometimes it’s nice hearing someone telling something funny that’s happened and you can hear the joy in their voice but not speak on the phone

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EdSheeransLeftSock@reddit

Novelty. Easier than typing (although siri). Extrovert who likes to talk.

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Ajsmonaco@reddit

Some people prefer to not disrupt but don’t want to call or txt.

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this_many_things@reddit

Oh wait is that a thing? I just thought my friend was extra special.

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gastro_psychic@reddit

Because I want to. End of story.

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Jitsu_apocalypse@reddit

Whatsapp should merge the voice note with voice to text so that they are combined

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rifeChunder@reddit

I've never really considered this - one of my family members is functionally illiterate, and sends voice messages all the time. This family member is 21 years old, and has the reading / writing ability of a 5 year old. No physical or mental impairment, just couldn't be arsed learning.

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Sazzlesizzle@reddit

my long distance bestie and i don’t have time to call every day but we love sending 5 min voice notes throughout the day, we listen and reply when we can. it’s a great way to stay in touch (for us!)

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Lulu_531@reddit

My sister-in-law was obsessed with this for awhile. She was sitting at our house one day having an entire conversation with someone that way. My husband finally snapped and said “this would have been done by now if you just called her!”

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juxstapositionis@reddit

If they contain a lot of information then I perceive it as a bit rude and self important. If it’s just a quick acknowledgement or sentence then totally fine.

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Chuck_Norwich@reddit

It's sooooo much easier than typing

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nolo_me@reddit

People will choose what's more convenient for them to send over what's more convenient for you to receive every time.

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ChessNewGuy@reddit

Why is putting the phone to your ear for a call fine but to listen to a voice message it’s a huge hassle? Personally I love VN, they combine the speed of a phone call with the convince of texting It seems like your issue stems from people leaving huge voice notes that drag on instead of using a separate voice note for each point they want to make

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dpoodle@reddit

Because sometimes you just want to hear a persons voice conveying emotions not say a bunch of emojis or short hand texts

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jonb1aze@reddit

Because in this socially awkward world no one like talking to anyone anymore.The amount of times you ring someone and they don’t pick up even though they are there.

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ATWaltz@reddit

I disagree, a voice note can be listened to at leisure, it can be listened too whilst driving for example without requiring attention to be paid to the screen. It can be replayed as many times as is required if some key piece of information is missing. I doesn't require either party to be present and available at the same time. It allows one to avoid the strenuous task of fucking around with a touchscreen and is better for condensing what might otherwise be a long winded text into a more manageable soundbite. A response is similarly easy to make and affords the same benefits to both parties, i.e. replayability, not requiring immediate attention/flexible.

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Amybonbamy@reddit

I put it down to a young people thing. I'd always rather someone just call me.

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ElliesInWellies@reddit

I hate voice notes with a passion. It's a ballache trying to respond to them, especially when it's a two minute ramble.

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SojournerInThisVale@reddit

Because they want to text but are too busy to type. You can send a voice message when walking or cooking, for example

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Kitchen-Pangolin-973@reddit

My landlord has started doing this and I refuse to listen to them.

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OhNoEnglandBloke@reddit

They can’t do English

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Hydecka84@reddit

Maybe they didn’t have hands free to type but could hold the phone to speak? But they didn’t want to call cos you sound insufferable?

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HawkLow256@reddit

This sounds like a post for r/unpopularopinion

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LazyBeast_Gaming@reddit

I love a voice note, sometimes in written text it can be hard to get across the way you actually mean something, it can be misinterpreted or sound more blunt than it’s meant. Voice notes save time, and you get a better impression of how something is actually being said.

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failed_asian@reddit

Pro Tip: you can change the default playback speed for voice notes to 1.5x so at least you can get through them faster.

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HamsterEagle@reddit

Does it also make the sender sound like one of the chipmunks?

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TheBluePapaBear@reddit

No, the pitch stays the same.

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BrightonTownCrier@reddit

I know 4 people that almost exclusively use voice notes and all of them are of the opinion that their time is more improtant than other people's.

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mab0106@reddit

I think it depends who it is - one of my best friends likes to send voice notes and I quite like listening to them because I get to hear her voice (I moved away for uni and she went to Australia for a gap year so we don't get to talk as much as we used to), if I'm out and about and headphoneless then I'll just reply saying "sorry can't listen to it right now, will have a listen later" On the other hand, if its someone I don't know that well, it would probably piss me off lol

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Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

I can see the appeal with the kind of messages you're talking about, catching up and not urgent or anything. I've recently been in a group trying to arrange something, a bunch of people I don't know well or even at all, and time sensitive. The main organiser randomly sends texts or voice notes, and you have to listen because otherwise her next written messages won't make sense. And you have to respond because we need to make decisions. I keep having to find quiet corners to listen to her next rambling message on the street.

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mab0106@reddit

That does sound like a nightmare to be fair

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notaspecificthing@reddit

I personally dont like leaving voice notes for people, but it's nice to hear peoples voices without the pressure of being on a phone call

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thefirstofhisname11@reddit

The pressure of being on a phone call? What even is that?

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notaspecificthing@reddit

Anxiety being on the phone, calling or receiving. I always fumble my words, and sometimes say things impulsively or cant hear properly. Voice notes are easier to rehearse

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thefirstofhisname11@reddit

I am sorry to hear that. I hope you get better because the world will eat you alive if you can’t handle a phone call.

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MurderedByTheBurbs@reddit

This! I started leaving voicemails with online friends when I was having trouble conveying tone via text, but now I love it because it’s like a phone call but without the pressure of a phone call. We just get back to each other whenever

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notaspecificthing@reddit

Plus easier to multitask

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ktitten@reddit

Some people find it much easier to listen than to read. My partner has dyslexia and I realised that sending a bunch of information via text is quite hard for him to read. So I started sending voice notes when I have a lot to say and that's worked out well!

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Serious_Escape_5438@reddit

Whereas I'm exactly the opposite.

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ktitten@reddit

Yep I am the opposite too! I even find tv shows or films hard to watch, I just prefer to read, it comes easier to me than listening. I am guessing a lot of us on reddit are similar, I mainly deep dive text-based subreddits when I am bored, others would find reading all that effort. But I can barely get through a 10 minute youtube video.

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xch3rrix@reddit

I have autism and voice notes are a life saver for me when my social anxiety is at impossible level at the thought of calling someone (even friends and family) and the thought of texting leaves me drained.

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miy5@reddit

People arguing against voice notes always say they dont have time to listen them etc … thats very self centred as it takes a lot longer to type than to read a message. Essentially voice notes would be the most fair tool in time perspective as a 2 min voice note takes 2 mins to record and 2 mins to listen to (if not used at 1.5 or 2x speed).

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Sezyluv85@reddit

I wish Reddit had a voice note function 🤣

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Maximum-Heart5746@reddit

WAIT YESSSSSSSS!!!!!! HOW ENTERTAINING WOULD IT BE TO READ THE COMMENTS

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Reetgeist@reddit

I don't mind voice notes in principle, but too many people start one without a clear idea of what they are going to say and therefore waffle. My heart sinks when I see a 2m+ note because 95% of the time I could read the information it conveys in 10 seconds.

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dpwtr@reddit

How can you not figure out why? It is easier than writing a long text. It might not be easier to receive, but it's easier to send. This is a you problem.

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StationFar6396@reddit

I find the kind of people that do that are self centered twats in general.

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Mplus479@reddit

Because some people can express themselves better through a voice message than in a text-based message. You can convey things in a voice message that you can’t in a text message. You can misinterpret things in a text. Less chance if you hear it.

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devonbedford@reddit

WHY DONT THEY USE TEXT TO SPEECH.

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Electrical-Box4438@reddit

One of the reasons why I don't give my number out lol as a female when speaking to males on WhatsApp they always want to end up doing voice messages🥴 then they request for me to send them. When I do they all start to drool over my voice acting like it's babe station or something 🙄 plus when I text I can get my words out better compared to a voice message or being on the phone not as much pressure

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Yaboijustlikesgoats@reddit

My friends and I use them often because you don't have to type a long text and can reply at your own convenience. If it was something i needed to tell them urgently i would call but usually it's just 'i just saw this thing' or 'wanna do this next week'. It's easier for my friends with dyslexia and i don't have to put down my knitting to reply.

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fussyfella@reddit

I hate it but I think it is because they are not good at typing. I have a workman who does it all the time and leaves long, rambling messages. It annoys the hell out of me.

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BustyLaRue790@reddit

See now on the one hand I have a friend who sends voice messages all the time so I'm kinda used to it by now but on the other hand I also prefer to just text. Only time I send voice messages usually is when I have a thing in my brain that Needs to Get Out Now and both of my hands are occupied.

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Auntie_Cagul@reddit

Because it can be cheaper to call via WhatsApp if your mobile contract doesn't have unlimited minutes. Also for texting, I prefer WhatsApp to an SMS text because I know I won't be charged extra when I send images.

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POLISHED_OMEGALUL@reddit

Cuz they're lazy cunts

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Limmmao@reddit

LPT: add the TranscribeMe contact, forward your audio messages and read them as text.

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Jlaw118@reddit

My girlfriend’s friends do it and it absolutely rages me listening to her friends complain about their lives. I even bought her some earphones but she never uses them. One friend constantly rages about her husband. Another rages about her sister’s boyfriend. And it’s almost always when there’s something decent on TV

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YazmindaHenn@reddit

Instead of being bitter about it, why not just ask your girlfriend not to listen to them during the time you're watching something you like on TV? Or ask her to do it in another room?

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5cottish-unicorn5@reddit

There are defo pros and cons. But think you are missing why people choose voice memo vs text or call. There are so many pros once you start. Its hard to go back with how much time is saved. Enhanced expression: Convey emotions, tone, and complex ideas more clearly than text alone. Flexibility and multitasking: allow for communication while your busy and cant necessarily stop and type. Privacy and discretion: More private. Can't be easily seen and understood by friends/family with a glance of your screen. Control over the intent: Texting can often lead to miscommunication. Maybe I'm worried it wont come out how I intended through texting. Importance: They texted me. Which to me means it wasn't important enough for them to call me. But might not be so unimportant that I can trust myself to leave you on read and get back to you later. So its either this or I'm blanking that person which I don't want to do. Time: 2 minutes and requires no time to edit. But typing for 2 minutes worth of talking time requires way more time to type, Edit and on top of that I cant do this at the same time I am doing anything else. No interuptions/distracted by the other person: A phone call I can be interrupted/derailed by who your talking to. So this way I get time to say fully what I want to say start without being distracted. Maybe this helps give you some insight into the mind of people who use voice memos. I think apps should automatically attempt transcription into text with the option to play the moment of audio it transcribed it from when it gets is wrong when tapping on that word. But for now both texting and voice memos are imperfect solutions. Also tip: for listening to voice messages when your in public. You can listen to them like a one way phone call. Almost all phones play audio from the speaker and phone earpiece. So just lower the volume a tad and raise it your ear like a phone call and you can listen anywhere.

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Open-Sea8388@reddit

Why can't people talk. Sadly it seems to be a thing of the past. People complain social media is negatively affecting their kids social skills then start texting on their phones. What sort of example is that

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Willamanjaroo@reddit

It is easier than sending a long text though. You’re arguing that it’s harder to receive, which is true, but they don’t care about that

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Clark-Kent@reddit

PSA Press play on the voice note when the media volume is down And then press phone to ear like a normal call It will play the voice note through the earpiece instead of speaker So you get the normal privacy and sound of a regular call PSA

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YorkshireTerrier93@reddit

I live 4000 miles, and 6 hours behind my whole family and a lot of close friends. I rarely see them, and finding times when we’re able to call is difficult. Voice notes means I get to hear their voices when otherwise I could go weeks and months without that.

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Clark-Kent@reddit

PSA Press play on the voice note when the media volume is down And then press phone to ear like a normal call It will play the voice note through the earpiece instead of speaker So you get the normal privacy and sound of a regular call PSA

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Angelmamma@reddit

My great niece sends me voice notes on her grandmothers phone( my sister in law) . Usually when I have messaged saying “ tell ****** she looks beautiful in that picture “. The voice note is usually “ thank you auntie ********”

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RedSaltMedia@reddit

I used to hate it, then I had to communicate with a client with Dyslexia. Voice notes are easier for them, so I started using them. Now I do it a lot more, It's just so much easier and quicker to talk than it is to type.

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Mrslinkydragon@reddit

My mate does this and its so annoying! Just text me! I haven't got the permissions set up!

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Nine_Eye_Ron@reddit

It’s a feature of the software they find useful.

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Eth43va@reddit

Quicker/easier than texting on certain occasions and allows the recipient to listen in their own time. I’d prefer voice message over a random phone call personally.

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Dry_Version_5336@reddit

I use them all the time cause I Cba typing. To be honest It’s more that my eyes looking at a screen give me a headache so sending voice messages allows me to look away from the screen and send a lengthy message. Also fun fact, my first reaction as a response to reading this post and knowing I would have to type this whole message out was “I wonder if I can send a voice note”, only to immediately afterwards notice the irony.

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Mewnbugg@reddit

Just like you do, other people have their own preferences. Some people prefer to send a voice note over a voice call.

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xch3rrix@reddit

I feel this may be an atypical thing? I'm a voice note person, I never saw the connection but I'm thinking the reasons why is autism 🤷🏾‍♀️.

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Mewnbugg@reddit

Yes I would have to agree with you on this quite honestly as I’m definitely a voice note person as well. One of the reasons being I can’t concentrate long enough when the conversation takes up too much time and they don’t get to the point

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xch3rrix@reddit

OMFG yes! I overuse emoji for this reason

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allyroo@reddit

It IS easier. For them.

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salomaogladstone@reddit

Average attention span is getting too short for writing a clear text message and being understood by the reader. Imperfect voice recognition and the aforementioned ADHD/anxiety issues just make it worse.

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theunknownkiddo1@reddit

only when im at a busy place walking when i really need to watch where i take a step. i do not mind voice messages.

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Responsible-Walrus-5@reddit

I am so with you Op! I hate voice notes. “It’s it’s just easier” yes for YOU! Not for me. I can quickly read a text at work. I’m not fucking about putting headphones in just to listen to you ramble on about something.

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ZookeepergameOk2759@reddit

Easy for you ,a pain in the arse for the recipient ,is it that hard to write a text pretty selfish really ,obviously if you have a condition that means you can’t text then fair enough but I’d imagine that’s a small percentage of people who send them

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chroniccomplexcase@reddit

My friend started doing this and I had to remind her I’m deaf and that that it was entirely a waste of her time doing that. The only people who I can see this being a good thing for are people who are visually impaired.

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flowers2107@reddit

My friend and I almost exclusively use voice notes. I listen to and leave her messages while I’m driving (which I do a lot for work) and she does the same while getting ready in the mornings. It works for us and we probably catch up more in depth than when it’s just text. Equally I have friends who find the whole concept bizarre. As long as you’re on the same page with the most convenient way to communicate with each other it’s really not a big deal

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llamasncheese@reddit

It's not that easier for the receiver, it's easier for the sender. Sometimes you're busy doing something, but can hold a button and talk (as opposed to using your whole focus on typing). Also sometimes there are things you want to say that might be a long ass paragraph, but if you can speak it it's a lot shorter and quicker to send. You can replay voice notes, so you can go back and rehear what they say. And sometimes it's easier to express something through talking than it is through typing. A lot of what I just said is relevant for phone calls, but what makes voice notes different, and better than phonecalls, is that phone calls aren't recorded. You can't go back over something they say, you can say 'sry I didn't catch that' but often times we don't, we just say yup and nod as if we know what's going on 🤣🤣, or maybe there talking fast and have a lot to say and you don't want to stop their flow. Or maybe it's the 8th time they've repeated themselves... Don't get that problem with voice notes. It's stored, you can always replay it. Another thing is that phone calls are a bit demanding. People have lives, people are doing things, people aren't going to have the time to make a phone call or answer the phone. And even if we technically have the time, we might not feel like answering. If I'm relaxing at home, I don't answer the phone when my friends ring (I am an introvert). Lots of people with anxiety don't like phone calls too. It's actually quite hard to communicate over phone calls because if someone doesn't pick up, it's mission failed. Where as with a voice note, it's stored, they can listen to it and respond, whenever it suits them. A phone call has to be here and now, a voice note can wait. Voice notes are just better phone calls.

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StupidHistorian@reddit

They always seem to talk really really slowly, and take massive breaks to take deep breaths too, fucking hate them

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Positive_Ad9902@reddit

I find talking on the phone to most people quite anxiety provoking. I don't feel I have time to think properly before I respond and am afraid of requests or questions where I'm gonna struggle to set a boundary so I like to voicenote because it's more personal, you can hear intonation and it gives me time to think about my answers and respond back with one

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malint@reddit

They’re really useful. Nobody expects you to respond instantly to a voice message and nobody should be putting important information in a voice message. You just text it afterwards. But it allows people to 1) send messages hands free - great for multitasking and if you have your hands full 2) more quickly communicate ideas 3) nice to hear inflections and the voice of people you care about. If you don’t like calling (like most people) then you know how texting can have some important stuff lost to translation. Not difficult is it

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mantolwen@reddit

Because half of my friends group is blind. Also it gets across tone much better.

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rickaboooy@reddit

Sometimes nuance in a message gets lost without the non-verbal communication. For some people they’re easier to say then to write. I rarely send them. I find it annoying to receive them.. but I’m not everybody.

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narnababy@reddit

My whole friendship group almost exclusively does voice notes. I have a short attention span and a small child, I don’t have time to listen to 60+ 2 minute (sometimes longer) voice notes so I miss out on a lot of the group chatter which upsets me. But that’s how they want to do it so I can’t really say to stop. It does annoy me though, just fucking text.

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Dragonfruit7837@reddit

Because people are idiots all of them all the time

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daxamiteuk@reddit

Not a fan of them . It’s much easier to scan through a text than to listen , and you can re read an important bit or copy and paste etc … but I can’t say that it’s ever made me angry ! Any more angry than getting a voicemail from a missed call . Listen to it when you have time . If you don’t have time , then ignore it until you do

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NowoTone@reddit

Totally annoying. I’m in meetings all day and people keep sending me voice messages and the have the audacity to complain that I take too long to answer.

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CandyHaunting9159@reddit

It’s like a conversation but in stages, it offers nuance that a text doesn’t offer but a call might not be possible. Just tell folks if you don’t like them.

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chuckiestealady@reddit

My sister can’t be bothered to type 🙄

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Cervidae91@reddit

I have a 15 month old who likes to snatch a phone when she sees it because she likes to take it and phone her nana and by this I mean she takes my phone says “ta” then holds it to her ear and babbles with intermittent “nana” or she uses it to play with Siri which she’s just discovered. It’s a pain trying to type anything long when she’s around and even if she’s not trying to “phone nana” I literally need to have eyes on the back of my head because she’s on her feet now and so damn quick. I hung up a towel on the washing line outside. One towel. I found her in the plant pot 🤦🏻‍♀️ so for me, if I have a headphone I can quickly do a voice note. She doesn’t really get the connection of headphone = phone yet so that’s a bonus. I know 99% of my mum friends also feel and do the same and those who don’t like it know that they’ll have to wait till nap time or when she’s in bed to get a reply but the run the risk of me a- forgetting b- being so tired that it increases my inability to self edit and catch the dyslexic slips. So by 9pm at night, where previously you would see a cohesive sentence, you won’t by then. Thankfully, spellchecker catches my brains ability to swap around letters but grammar, difficult to spell words and cohesiveness just goes out the window.

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jumpierfriend@reddit

If it’s not urgent but YOUR in a rush (You is the person sending it)

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kreygmu@reddit

Because they don't value your time.

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emily5126@reddit

I suppose for some it might be less effort than texting, also some people just love the sound of their own voice.

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PopHead_1814@reddit

Different people prefer different methods of communication.

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_Throwaway54_@reddit

I often forget to double check my text and miss a word in my sentences. I don't when I send voice notes

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Jmac0113@reddit

If someone could show me how to do voice to text, that might be better

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janewilson90@reddit

Because we don't always have two hands available to type with. I often end up sending little voice messages now because I'm breastfeeding and only have one hand. Yeah they're not as convenient to the recipient but they're more convenient to the sender on occasion.

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gogoguy5678@reddit

"Don't make the argument it's easier than a long text" - I'll make that argument, because it IS easier. For me. It might not be for you, but that's just a personal thing. In the same way it's easier for me to send a voice message than to write a long text. To each their own.

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grapefruit_crackers@reddit

Look, I get that it's annoying. Here's a couple things to keep in mind. One, you can play the message at 1.5 or 2x speed, so that helps. Two, if it's someone you really care about, back a few messages up so you have some records of their voice. We teased my dad a lot about using voice messages, but after we lost him last year I am so glad we have so many little records of him.

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hardyflashier@reddit

_10 years ago_ "Why do people call me, when they could just send a text?!"

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jibbetygibbet@reddit

I used to think so too but I realised that there is a use case for all forms of communication. When you compare a phone call and text message you are comparing two confounding variables - the format and the synchronicity: Using voice is good as it conveys meaning and emotion better because of the ability to use tone and delivery timing to convey meaning, but text is better for quick recall of information (re-reading it) and fidelity of the message (less chance of mishearing). A synchronous communication is good for quickly resolving multi-step bidirectional information flow, but interrupts the person and requires two way dialogue - it *requires* something of the recipient that may be disruptive to them. A message is an asynchronous communication that conveys a one-way information flow, or doesn’t require an immediate response. A phone call is synchronous voice. A text message is asynchronous text. A voice message is asynchronous voice. Therefore if what you want to do is to tell someone something that does not expect a response without interrupting them, a voice message can be a good option.

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amaluna@reddit

The things people complain about on this sub would make a lot more sense if people took 30 seconds to consider the answers to their questions, or see things from a differing perspective

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weebeanss@reddit

I hate them because I’m never sure exactly what my friends will say!!! I think it’s a -30 year old thing. I always reply to a voice note with a text. My voice is awkward

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charlesthrowaway00@reddit

Because I’m dyslexic as fuck

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OSUBrit@reddit

I get people on linkedin message me every month or two trying to get me to use their tool or service. These are always annoying but it reached peak annoyance on Friday when one of these sent me one via LinkedIn voice note, a sure fire way for me to never use their tool.

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joyousjoy23@reddit

My partner and I live in separate time zones at the moment (soon to be reunited in 10 days though yay) So voice messages work brilliantly especially when you miss that voice. Also we're bi lingual so it's often easier to chat in both languages mixed up than type it all out.

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Chlorophilia@reddit

Much easier than writing a long text for many people (you might find it easier, but many people don't) and the person on the other end might not be available for a call. It's very convenient, which is why lots of people use it.

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Penderyn@reddit

I have a young baby and its impossible to type and stop it from killing itself quite often so I voice notes are very useful

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ThemasterofZ@reddit

Man you people get bothered by anything wow

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renfieldist@reddit

I don’t send them often, but sometimes I need to get a message to someone quickly while I’m walking from a to b. I can record a voice message while walking at full speed and watching where I’m going.

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-TheHumorousOne-@reddit

First why do people not leave voicemails, now this. Turning this sub into r/BritishProblems

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GlasgowGunner@reddit

They are easier than sending a long text. For the person who sent it. Not the person receiving.

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Lassitude1001@reddit

One of my friends does this a lot when she's walking about or cba to type. So I guess that.

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Intrepid_Brain_3035@reddit

Fair enough, I'll stick to texting you and singing karaoke alone in my car for vocal expression.

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McFuckin94@reddit

I like a voice note if I’m conveying something complex but don’t have the time for a proper call. It means if they send me one back I can listen when I’m available rather than spending time on a call. It gives both the benefits of a call and a text.

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wehere4E@reddit

Phone calls feel intrusive. I have to stop whatever I'm doing because you have effectively demanded my attention with a phone call. When I want to express something that text won't work quite as well for; without demanding your time. A voice note is better for that

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lankymjc@reddit

When they say it’s easier, they don’t mean for the recipient. They mean it’s easier for them. Some people find talking much easier than writing. I had to help my brother with his essays (and so basically all the writing) because he found it so difficult. He could articulate the subjects fine when telling me about them, he just couldn’t get the ideas down on paper.

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SpaceWolves26@reddit

It absolutely is easier than sending a long text. What you actually mean is it isn't easier than receiving a long text. I had an odd day at work yesterday with a number of funny or unusual things happening, so I sent a voice message to my group chat of friends telling them about it. It was about two minutes long and I could express the confusion etc in my voice far better than in a text, and it gave them a good laugh more than just reading it would have. If someone is sending them for every little thing that would be annoying, but they are far better than messages or calls sometimes.

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razzledazzlegirl@reddit

I have a friend I send voice messages to because she has a lot of disabilities. It makes her life easier as she can’t easily type replies. Some people have legitimate reasons.

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Lou-Lou-Lou@reddit

My colleague has dyslexia. She does this. We understand.

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iamdecal@reddit

Just don’t listen to them - I’ve heard the “it’s just easier” line too - and what they mean is “easier for them” - it’s easier for me not to bother listening , so I don’t , and now I don’t get any.

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Subredhit@reddit

Have you thought of saying that to the people who do it to you instead of making a post on Reddit?

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KING5TON@reddit

I like them. They are basically a middle ground between a text and a call. They are better than a call because I can pause to think or re-record if I fluff up. The receipient can also listen to it when they are free rather than having to take a call now. They are better than a text as you can say a lot without pecking it out on a keyboard and you get hear the other person's voice.

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InternationalUnit143@reddit

I would guess its a bit more nuanced than text message. Some text can come across a bit different to the reader dispute the sentiment behind them.

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DragonDolohov@reddit

For me its when I cba typing so I just send a voice note, pretty self explanatory tbh

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Aardvarkinthepark@reddit

Amen!

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reallifefidgit@reddit

I've found them useful for communicating with my son who has learning disabilities. He can read and write but struggles with it. I find that when something you're trying to say is nuanced you can't always put it over effectively by text. The voice message is also useful for that.

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doomdoggie@reddit

I hate them too, get voice FB messages too. Text is great, you can read it anywhere and it's easy to understand.

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No_Rooster7278@reddit

Faster than typing.

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BaseballFuryThurman@reddit

I don't so much hate voice messages as a thing, like if I'm available to listen to it then fine. But it's the fact that I'm often not. If I'm sat at my desk at work or sat with family or I dunno in a queue to get food or something, I'm not going to play a recording of you speaking. However I could read and respond to a text message.

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boygeorge89@reddit

Top tip. You can speed up a what’s app voice note!

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poomperzuhhh@reddit

I personally can’t stand them. It’s easier to send them instead of a text, but when it comes to receiving, I’d rather have the text because: - If it’s long I can skim through it quickly to find something you said that i want to specifically reply to - That 3 minute long voice you sent me would’ve been a 20 second read. Natural speech doesn’t come through like the way we read. It’s inclusive of pauses, phrasing adjustment in a sentence with humming or when we say “uhhhh”, etc. and that’s not taking into account that even without that we read faster than we convey natural speech (assuming no issues with reading like dyslexia or such)

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count_crow@reddit

I visited Thailand and Vietnam and *everyone* there uses them. Apparently it's because the Thai alphabet is a bit of a bugger to squeeze onto one phone screen keyboard so to save faffing with it they all just use voice notes instead. There's lots of reasons why people use it here, I personally think it's for people who don't have much time to type or are multitasking but is a pain to be a recipient of it.

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That_Organization901@reddit

Same in China. Lots of people from rural places working as taxi drivers etc can’t write the characters and lots of people can’t see them on a little screen. Voice notes fix that issue. Had a taxi driver in Shanghai who couldn’t understand the Hefei accent, we tried showing him the place on a phone and he said “I cant read that!” We asked how he can drive if he can’t see the phone and he just said “that’s small, cars are big!” Hahaha! Shat myself as he drove like everyone else had to move for him.

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peachandbetty@reddit

Usually because it is something lengthy that's easier explained verbally but you're not in a position to have a full blown telephone convo at the Time. If someone asks me something complex mid WhatsApp chat I will send a voice message because its simpler to explain that way rather than write an essay. Also my husband has big fat sausage thumbs so he prefers it over texting.

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SarNic88@reddit

I appreciate them just because a lot of the time I genuinely don’t have time for a proper phone call, if I’m talking on the phone I really struggle to carry on doing what I am doing and still pay appropriate attention. I’m constantly running around after the kids and so is my sister with hers so we communicate best in voice notes but also have the understanding that we don’t use them for anything urgent, we just reply when we have a chance to. Great thing about receiving them is that I can be doing other things but can hear her voice and listen to her, unlike a text which I have to stop what I am doing to read or a phone call where I have to be more present and engaged in the discussion. If it wasn’t for voice notes I wouldn’t get to speak to her nearly as much as I do now.

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Peppemarduk@reddit

I hate and suck at writing on the phone. Much easier to send a voice message.

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Particular-Lime1651@reddit

sometimes it's faster.. faster than calling, faster than texting.. you just hold the icon for a few seconds. as a person who sends voicenotes, I understand your frustration.. that's my reason though

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ChompingCucumber4@reddit

maybe not the purpose i often find it comforting to hear the voice of someone i love instead of just reading their words

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trainerlaika@reddit

i use it on discord sometimes with friends I have overseas. we aren't able to voice call regularly because of timezone differences, and it's nice to remember what the other sounds like sometimes, since those online-exclusive friendships can sometimes feel less "real" than the ones you have with people you see in person regularly. also, it's great for sharing gossip with those friends that will literally never impact them at all, because it's difficult (at least for me) to indicate tone over messages.

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Neo-Riamu@reddit

My preferred method is always texting but there is a couple of instances where this is not perfect. 1. My sister is super dyslexic she can read mostly ok but her spelling is none existence so all I get is voice messages. 2. I have a blind Korean friend she is great and we message one another every so often now she can send me text message and I understand fine but a lot of the time she is out and about and only has her phone on here which will read out my message in a Korean accent. She tells me she doesn’t understand what is said but if I send a voice message she understand clearly. Those two situation are limited and not everyone has a similar experience. Now those peeps who do it where those two situation do not applies I’m just assuming they are of the moronic persuasion and they just want people to know they are capable of speech or maybe they are ashamed they cannot spell very well but either way still stupid.

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JotiimaSHOSH@reddit

It allows you to have a phone call like conversation which has a lot more human emotion and nuance, over a more extended period of time where you don't have to sit and talk to someone. It allows you to do other things at the same time. It's more modern and more convenient. Personally I just respond to them with text which is also fine and still efficient. Just get over it. The worst people are those on their phone calls on loudspeaker in any public situation.

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skintension@reddit

You ever try sending a text message while riding a bike, or walking through a crowd? Heh.

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Early-Stop-5115@reddit

Ah, the eternal struggle between convenience and personal preference. But hey, if it helps someone with dyslexia, I'm all for it!

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HamsterEagle@reddit

My default position is that I’m not going to listen to it, some people do it in the parents WhatsApp groups for my kid’s school years. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to one of them.

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BritsinFrance@reddit

If i want to update you on something or tell you something and there's no need for a two way converation, plus typing is much slower. I can also express myself more fluidly when speaking.

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lilak0610@reddit

Me and my sister voice note each other regularly, and I've voice noted friends in the past too, a lot of the time I really cba to write it all in a text. I think it depends on the individual, to me it's halfway between a text and a call, I can listen and respond to that voice note at any time and to be honest I hate phone calls lol. With voice noting too, I can literally go about my business whilst I talk and send it rather than picking up my phone, writing out the text and sending it. With that being said, I don't voice note everyone I know. If someone I'm not very close to would voice note me I would also raise an eyebrow. I think it's about knowing who likes voice noting and who doesn't. I know this may be an unpopular opinion. OP, keep responding via text to the voice notes it's a good way to get someone to just text back.

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HorseFacedDipShit@reddit (OP)

Lol it’s funny that you mention that because that’s exactly what I do. I just text them if I can actually be bothered to listen to it. You’d be shocked at how many people genuinely get upset when I tell them I’m not listening to a 3 minutes long voice note though

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ThrowawayTrainee749@reddit

Because it’s rude? If you got a long text, you’d answer it. If you had a long call, you’d speak to them. It’s arrogant.

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adelaibet@reddit

For me this works in reverse, if they persist to reply with a voice note to my text, it makes me think I should also reply with a voicenote.

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CuteMaterial@reddit

I hate them so much. Sometimes I just want to read it quickly and I can’t cos it’s a stupid voice note

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South_Obligation3884@reddit

I guess we all have our quirks. I personally prefer carrier pigeons for all my messaging needs.

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whyamihere189@reddit

I wouldn't mind if people spoke clearly, half the time I have no idea what they're talking about.

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Cussec@reddit

They don’t want conversation, can’t be arsed to text. Prefer a monologue. That person doesn’t want to know anything about anything else other than what they have to say. In my experience anyway. Maybe it’s because they think I’m a boring cunt and they don’t want to hear me rabbiting on like I am now …….

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AKSC0@reddit

Just your phone against your ear to listen

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bluerain80@reddit

I hate them but I do understand why some people like to send them. It saves any typing, they just speak & those people are usually the ones who don’t like texting & prefer phone calls so I guess it’s kind of like a compromise. But yeah I absolutely hate having to sit there listening to it. If you’re someone who does this & are under the illusion most people like it just as much as you, they don’t.

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Green_Pint@reddit

More often than not I don’t even listen to them, I don’t like having the volume on my phone switched on, I’ll speak on the phone if someone calls but I much prefer to just read a text

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ReluctantApple@reddit

Personally I think it's discourteous and lazy. If you want to deal with a topic requiring dialogue, just say "please call me back about X" If you want to convey a message of any length (> 1 sentence!) - use one of the many means of generating TEXT for the simple reasons other have explained, but summarise as "it's more efficient and effective"

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marshallandy83@reddit

>Personally I think it's discourteous Who the hell isn't discourteous with friends? Like, vicars or something?

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ThrowawayTrainee749@reddit

Because they’re fun. And they annoy people

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ben_vtr@reddit

When driving

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Powerful-Impact-6453@reddit

It's easier. But voice messages are annoying to receive.

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Silvagadron@reddit

I send impressions to friends sometimes. Just out of the blue. It’s nothing important but I want to make them laugh and I can’t do it over text. Well I could but it wouldn’t be very effective.

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ra246@reddit

Much more info, much more emotion, much more personal. I'm a huge fan but I don't use them all the time.

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marshallandy83@reddit

People use these for legitimate communication? I thought they were designed for drunken ramblings that cause anxiety the next morning (assuming you even dare listen back to them).

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Snoo-19073@reddit

Need to communicate something when unable to type, for someone else to review at their leisure.

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onunfil@reddit

That shit is so annoying, you might as well call me instead

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SillyStallion@reddit

Especially since you can do voice to text if you don’t have time to type. I have people whinging I don’t reply - I’m at work I can sneak a look at a text but listening to voice messages could get me fired

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CromulentSlacker@reddit

I do it just because I can click the call button on my computer rather than worrying about where I left my phone.

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Roylemail@reddit

Much prefer voice notes it’s quicker and easier. No headphone, just hold the speak to your ear lol

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Ok_Attempt6787@reddit

I don't even listen to answerphone messages. If it's important, they'll call or text later.

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No-Reason3359@reddit

Press delete.Then chill

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literate_giraffe@reddit

I find them really handy if I'm pushing the pram or walking holding one of my kids hands and I need to send a quick message that doesn't really need a whole phone call. Like I know if I phone my mum it'll be 10mins on the phone because she just doesn't know how to stop talking but I can send her a 2 second voice msg that I dont expect an immediate reply from instead.

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keeponyrmeanside@reddit

I love them it’s like getting a little podcast from my mates. I don’t know why people do it for single sentence voice notes, but I love a good ten minute update on my friend’s life.

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Major_Icarus@reddit

"My brain works this way! How could anyone's else brain work another way! I just don't get it!" To paraphrase OP.

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forget_it_again@reddit

Tell me you're over 25, without telling me your over 25. By the way I'm 48 and completely agree 🤣 my kids send me messages on WhatsApp, drives me nuts

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DhangSign@reddit

It’s easier FOR ME to do it not for you lol I cba to text so I voice note

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ohmzar@reddit

I rarely bother to listen to them, but some people are better at expressing themselves when they talk, and some people express themselves better in text. You lose a lot of nuance when you lose the time of voice, and honestly I’d rather they sent me a voice message I could listen to in my own time than interrupted me by calling and making me talk to them.

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dotmit@reddit

Easier to voice message while walking. It’s so annoying receiving them though. The whole point of texting for me (or one of the big points) is it makes no noise!

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OctopusGoesSquish@reddit

When I’m working, I can be sending and receiving hundreds of messages a day. If I’m out and about, I have my hands full, or I need to communicate a specific tone that would take more time crafting a text than I actually have, I use voice notes. Plus, not everything NEEDS to be a call. If I was at a restaurant and my phone rang, I’d get up and step outside in order to be considerate of other diners and also to give my friend or colleague the time and attention that they are requesting by making a call. Likewise, I won’t expect the same of them if I just want to share an interesting anecdote about my day with the human connection of voice but without the imposition of an entire call. I’d also much prefer to receive a voice note than a call in this context- I can hold the phone to my ear so it’s not an imposition on those around me, but decide for myself how best to respond- by leaving the table and making a call, or by sending a text message. I’ll grant you that they USED to annoy me when I first started receiving them, but after I got used to them I really understand the utility.

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TommyManners@reddit

I feel you OP, I hate voice notes !!

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Jazzy0082@reddit

I only do it if I've got a lot of stuff to say and I'm a bit busy. Like I'm putting the shopping away but I also need to tell the lads exactly why I think Luton will edge it against Cov this afternoon.

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Gorgo29@reddit

When my partner was in a coma for several weeks, I would replay his voice messages just so I could hear his voice again. He also had a tracheostomy so couldn’t speak properly for a good while even after he came out of the coma. You bet I appreciated those voice messages. We still occasionally send each other voice messages these days. Honestly, sometimes it’s just easier and faster to articulate your thoughts by speaking them rather than typing them. I’d rather have someone rant at me about something that happened instead of me reading an essay about it.

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Blackkers@reddit

Really long voice messages piss me off, can't remember half of it to write back to.

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windol1@reddit

Personally I think they might as well just bloody call up rather than create an extra step.

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Interesting_Buyer943@reddit

Please don’t make the argument that is the most prominent and logical opposing argument to my dumb statement.

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CanidPsychopomp@reddit

They are really handy IMO. Great feature for when something is a bit complex and hard to make clear in writing.

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Big-Resist-99999999@reddit

I’ve learned to like them, and I appreciate the nuances of how someone is saying something whereas a text can read a bit dry

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iolaus79@reddit

I'm on your side

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No_Kaleidoscope_9740@reddit

It has its benefits - it’s more personal, it’s quicker, you don’t have to worry about typing fast and missing out words, etc. Also, if you are telling a funny story/venting to friends you can be more animated and set the tone more than in a text. The recipients can listen at any point in time. I am not going to call my friends to tell them about a funny encounter when I can leave a 20 second What’s app voice message. I don’t want to call them and interrupt what they are doing for one little thing or make multiple calls to tell them something when I can leave a voice message to a group chat.

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Deathconciousness_@reddit

Personally, I’m dyslexic and sometimes I find it harder to type something than to say it out loud, my brain just doesn’t work like that. I also like that with voice notes I have more time to consider my reply than on a phone call.

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sjdfkdlda@reddit

Cos the person being called might not be free at the moment, voice message allows convenience of answering whenever is convenient for the recipient

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Optimal-End-9730@reddit

My boyfriend is the only one who does it to me but I love it

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Timely_Victory_4680@reddit

It’s because it’s more convenient for them. I’ve told friends, you can voice note me but I might not listen to that until hours later so it better not be important. I’m not listening to that if I’m at work, out and about, or watching anything.

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bazzanoid@reddit

Same. I don't mind if that's their preference at all, but it's on the understanding that it won't be listened to until I'm able to do so, whereas a text will get a speedier reply

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HelpMeSum1Help@reddit

It’s about being open to what your friends or partner find comfortable. If it helps them open up and explain their thoughts more clearly, I’m all for it. To take calls you both need to be free from work or family to arrange that.

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elenainnapeartree@reddit

You can just put the phone up to your ear and it will switch to playing the voicenote through the same speaker it would use during phone calls at a lower volume, instead of playing them on speaker. So you absolutely can listen to them in public even if you don’t have headphones. I find them really useful when I’m in a rush and don’t have time to sit and type a text so just record a quick message instead

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orangeonesum@reddit

The VoIP feature is blocked in some countries. It's a nice way to still be able to hear someone's voice.

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1968Bladerunner@reddit

I prefer text messages 'cos I have a terrible memory &, with text, I can search back for keywords if I forget part of a convo & want to recall what was discussed.

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worthysmash@reddit

I like voice notes sometimes, as an alternative to a voicemail

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banananases@reddit

I kind of like them, feels retro, someone leaving a voice message.

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pinkappleflower@reddit

Lol we know they're not easier for the person receiving it, but they're easier to send instead of typing out a text. Sometimes I wanna just verbally explain what happened without committing to a half hour follow up conversation over the phone.

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Dyalikedagz@reddit

Cos they're awesome

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sputnikdan@reddit

Great if your texting and feel the need to shout or make funny noises though

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SafeBarracuda5649@reddit

It’s easier. … for them.

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moonieeee399@reddit

I don’t voice note that often but when I do it’s - I’m drunk and I can’t type properly - it’s way easier to convey tone in a voicenote if you’re telling a joke or being sarcastic (I’d never be able to put /s in a regular WhatsApp message lol) - me and my international friends don’t get to call that often so we voicenote when we haven’t heard eachother’s voices in a while

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kitty4196@reddit

My friends and I send them to eachother all the time. It’s quicker than texting when you’ve got something to say urgently.

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JBEqualizer@reddit

I've solved this issue by not having WhatsApp, so people have no choice but to call or text me.

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TheRealSlabsy@reddit

I'm hard of hearing from years of working with engines, I'd much prefer a recorded message than a call. I get stressed out trying to hear people on the phone but I'm happier with something I can listen to again.

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anytime710@reddit

Gotta do what you gotta do

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2023mustgo@reddit

Its because its easier for them to send, not because its easier for you to receive.

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LittleSadRufus@reddit

One friend sends them because he's a self employed caterer, and usually he's up to his armpits in vol au vents and trifle and typing on the phone is hard. But I wouldn't be happy with many other people doing it.

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AggressiveEstate3757@reddit

I much prefer them to a call.

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floppywoppadingdong@reddit

This is the new version of talking on loudspeaker while walking around and just as annoying

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Arrakis_Is_Here@reddit

Sounds like a skill issue

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FixSwords@reddit

"I don't listen to voice notes, the whole point of this app is to send texts. If you need to chat, please feel free to just give me a call."

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What_A_Shocker@reddit

Just tell them that's how you feel and maybe they'll just stop contacting you altogether and you'll both be happier.

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