There’s a phone faux pas that Gen Z wants you to stop making - and it’s leaving voicemails. According to etiquette expert and author Diane Gottsman, not only does the youngest generation not use voicemails at all, it really irks them when you do it.
“Gen Z are digital natives, and as such, they are used to more efficient ways of communication, leading them away from voicemails and phone calls, in favor of texting or FaceTime,” she explains. “It’s really about time, for both parties.” The caller has to listen to a long recording until they hear the beep and then the listener needs to listen to the full voicemail itself.
So, what should you do instead of leaving a voicemail? Texting is the way to go. “Texting before calling is the rule of good phone etiquette these days, as it prevents you from waking them up or interrupting them during their work or an important activity,” she explains. “If you don’t get a text or call back immediately, assume they are busy, and don’t keep reaching out. Learn to respect the silence.”
What else does Gen Z want you to do instead of leaving a voicemail?
- FaceTime or video chat
- Video Chat apps like Marco Polo
- Snapchat
- Social media messaging
- Voice-message texting
Source: Reader’s Digest