Deb of Rivia🌱

A recent report says that voice notes are huge across the world… apart from in Britain. Here’s my two cents (or pennies) on why I dislike voice notes: 1. I don’t want to have to put in earphones or find a quiet place when out and about, just for you to tell me “yes” or “no” about whether you’re free for a cup of tea next Wednesday. 2. While I’m watching telly, I want to be able to glance down at my phone and get the information I need in text form. I don’t want to have to turn the telly off and listen to your private podcast that’s just for me. 3. I don’t want to wade through three minutes of waffle and chit-chat I never asked for when a thumbs-up emoji will do. 4. It makes me feel like you expect a voice note back - and I’m not doing that. 5. I have no interest in tangents about how you’ve just seen an interesting pigeon on the pavement. I asked if you could give me a lift to the station, and 12 minutes in you’re talking about a pigeon and I’ve missed my train. 6. The convenience is all yours. It’s quick to send a voice note, but much slower for me to consume it. It’s bad manners. I think that about covers it. Of course, if voice notes are a more accessible option for the sender (due to difficulty typing, vision impairment, language barriers, etc.), that’s completely understandable - a different kettle of fish! But if you just like waffling, I’d rather not be the waffle sounding board. (Really I think I’m just jealous of people who are able to talk coherently for minutes at a time).