# How Many Times Do You Change Your Personal Voice Mail Message? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 21, 2011, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283 "2011-06-21T13:35:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/1 "2011-06-21T13:35:39Z")
I changed my voice mail message yesterday on my cell phone. I used to change it every month or seasonally, and then I got in to the habit of leaving it the same for months and months. Some of my friends have had the same voice mail for 3-4 years and will probably never change it. \*\*How often do you change yours? \*\* Poll forthcoming. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/2 "2011-06-21T13:43:36Z")
When I went off to college in 1998 my dad had one of his employees leaving him around the same time. He gave me her cell phone, but before he did it, he reset the voice mail message so it would be ‘me’ instead if her on it. To the best of my knowledge, that’s still the same one that’s on there. If it makes any difference, from what I’m told, we’re pretty difficult to tell apart on the phone. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/3 "2011-06-21T14:07:35Z")
I change it when I feel like it. As best I can recall, the last time I felt like it was some time in 2005. For the record, here it is: “You have reached my voicemail because I do not answer the phone when I am flying a plane, driving down the freeway, or asleep. Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you just as soon as I wake up, land the airplane, and pull off the road.” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/4 "2011-06-21T14:12:52Z")
I got my first cellphone in 2002ish on a whim. I’m still with T-Mobile, and still using the message I recorded the first day. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/5 "2011-06-21T14:17:19Z")
My work phone’s outgoing voicemail announcement is the same one I recorded when I started here 12+ years ago. My personal cell phone’s outgoing voicemail announcement is the same one I recorded when I joined up with Verizon in 2003. Our home land line’s outgoing voicemail announcement is the same one my wife recorded when she bought the current phone (before we got married) in 2004. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/6 "2011-06-21T15:36:45Z")
If I get a new answering machine. Other than that, it introduces me by name and asks you to leave a message. I use my full name because I used to have a lot of medical calls and I was told that they cannot leave a message unless you have identified yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/7 "2011-06-21T15:44:36Z")
My answering machine has the default on it that it puts on. My work phone I change maybe 3-4 times a year. I don’t have VM on my cell. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/8 "2011-06-21T15:48:04Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I change it when I feel like it. > > As best I can recall, the last time I felt like it was some time in 2005. > > For the record, here it is: > > “You have reached my voicemail because I do not answer the phone when I am flying a plane, driving down the freeway, or asleep. Please leave a message and I’ll get back to you just as soon as I wake up, land the airplane, and pull off the road.” My new voice mail is kinda similar: "Hi you are about to hear a very silly message. To avoid this message, hit pound to go directly to the beep. Otherwise, you’ve reached [Melody] at [555-555-5555] and there’s probably one of four reasons why I did not answer the phone: a) I’m at work b) My phone is still on vibrate from work and I didn’t hear you call c) I’m avoiding your call and going to pretend that my phone was on vibrate so that you won’t be hurt or d) the zombie apocalpse has finally happened and I’m saving my battery for some emergency calls later on. If you think that the answer is d, please hang up the phone and head to the nearest mall. Don’t forget your boomstick. Thank you for calling and have a nice day." ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/9 "2011-06-21T16:20:57Z")
We change it whenever the power goes out, which is much less than daily but probably more than 1-2 times per year. The answering machine is built into the phone and the memory gets wiped whenever power is interrupted. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/10 "2011-06-21T16:38:52Z")
I change it when I’m going on vacation, or otherwise unreachable for a period of time. My work phone allows me to keep the old message and switch to a second one, so I can turn the old message back on upon my return. That one is 2.5 years old. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/11 "2011-06-22T13:20:52Z")
Our household phone got disconnected for 24 hours, a couple years back (Verizon FIOS screwed up - someone went to the junction box that served our neighborhood and UNPLUGGED us). I called from a cell phone, to update the message telling people that it was out of order… and never changed it once the phone was fixed, LOL. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/12 "2011-06-22T13:45:36Z")
I changed my message at work six years ago when I switched departments. I don’t think I’ve every changed my cell phone message; I recorded one in 2001 when I first got a phone and don’t recall ever doing it again. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/13 "2011-06-22T14:00:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Leave a message I’ve used that same voice-mail message as long as I can remember. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/14 "2011-06-22T21:30:58Z")
Like **hogarth** , we change it after the power goes out. Once a year on average is probably about right. If the power never went out, we wouldn’t change it ever. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2011, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/15 "2011-06-22T21:51:41Z")
People who change their voicemails everyday to include the date are assholes. I used to have to listen to this woman change her greeting each morning at work to inform everyone of the day of the week, and that she was in the office. Hey doucheface, why don’t you just change it when you’re _not_ in the office? My personal voicemail never changes ( **kayaker** , we have the same greeting), my work voicemail changes when I’m out, then back to normal when I’m in. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/16 "2011-06-23T00:08:25Z")
My personal cell phone message hasn’t changed from when I first set it (although I can’t remember when that was. Current work voice mail hasn’t changed since I started this contract but the phone isn’t a huge communication method here. My former employer required daily voicemail updates including availability so I guess I’m a reformed asshole 😉 ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/17 "2011-06-23T00:12:11Z")
I think it’s been the same since I set it up. It’s very generic. “Hi, you’ve reached **chizzuk**. I’m sorry I can’t take your call right now, but please leave your name, number, and a brief message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” I did this because I couldn’t stand Verizon’s default message. “Your call has been forwarded to an automated voice messaging system. [NAME] is not available. At the tone, please record your message. When you have finished recording, you may hang up, or press 5 for more options. _BEEP_.” Ugh. It seems like everyone has this. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/18 "2011-06-23T00:21:50Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I don’t have VM on my cell. I am amazed that there even exists a plan with any carrier that doesn’t have voice mail. Who do you get cell service from? ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/19 "2011-06-23T00:33:07Z")
Home and cell phones got set up when I first got them and have never changed. Work voicemail gets switched to a temporary message when I go on vacation. The normal message changes every time we get a new phone vendor (about once every 3 years) ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283/20 "2011-06-23T01:16:44Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > My former employer required daily voicemail updates including availability so I guess I’m a reformed asshole 😉 Heh, the important part is you’ve reformed. In any case, employer-forced assholery gets a pass. It’s actually choosing to do this that’s absurd. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-change-your-personal-voice-mail-message/586283.md?page=2)