#47. Leave A Message, Please

"To leave a voice message, press one, or just wait for the tone. To send a numeric page, press two now . . . . . . . . At the tone, please record your voice message. When you are finished recording, you may hang up, or press pound for more options." (Beep)

How many times have you heard voicemail instructions similar to those above? Why do cell phone companies have such a ridiculous series of directions for leaving a message after the beep? Are we that ignorant? confused? forgetful? Hardly!

It's the Mandatory 15-Second Voicemail Instructions. Why is it mandatory, I ask? Apparently, there are multi-millions of extra dollars to be "earned" each year because of those extra 15 seconds of "use". Oh! Now I see why it is mandatory!

To leave a written comment, press one, or just wait for the weather report. To send me a compliment, press two now . . . . . If you don't hear a tone, please record your written note anyway. When you are finished typing, you may hang out for a while just reading other think-pieces, or pound on the monitor to see if anyone is in there to give you more options!

P.S. -- There is absolutely no extra charge for these instructions. I am simply here to assist you. Have a fantastic day!