7 voicemail habits boomers refuse to change that younger generations find unbearable

Remember when voicemail was the height of communication technology? I do. My parents still treat it like it's 1995, leaving me detailed messages that could rival a podcast episode in length.

Last week, my dad left me a three-minute voicemail that included the weather report, what he had for breakfast, a reminder about my cousin's birthday (which is two months away), and finally, at minute 2:47, the actual reason he called.

Meanwhile, I watched the notification sit there, knowing I'd have to carve out time to listen to this audio novel just to find out if it was urgent.

If you're nodding along, you probably have your own collection of voicemail horror stories from the older generation. And if you're a boomer reading this wondering what all the fuss is about, well, stick around. We need to talk about why your voicemail habits are driving younger folks up the wall.

The generational divide around voicemail isn't just about technology preferences. It reflects fundamentally different approaches to time, communication efficiency, and respect for others' schedules.

What boomers see as thorough and polite, millennials and Gen Z often experience as inconsiderate and painfully outdated.

1) Leaving voicemails for non-urgent matters

Here's a question for you: When was the last time you received a truly urgent voicemail?

For most of us under 50, voicemail has become the communication equivalent of sending a telegram. Yet boomers continue to leave messages for things like "Just calling to say hi" or "Wondering what you're up to this weekend."

The disconnect is real. Younger generations view voicemail as a tool for emergencies or critical business matters only. Everything else? That's what texting is for.

When I see a voicemail notification from anyone over 60, my heart rate spikes because I assume something terrible has happened. Nine times out of ten, they just wanted to chat about the weather or share a recipe they found.

This creates unnecessary anxiety and wastes everyone's time. A simple text saying "Call me when you're free, nothing urgent" would accomplish the same goal without the drama.

2) Refusing to text first

My father, the retired engineer, insists that texting is impersonal and lazy. He'd rather leave a voicemail asking if I can talk, wait for me to listen to it, then call him back, just so we can have a "real conversation."

But here's what he doesn't understand: Texting isn't impersonal, it's respectful. It allows the recipient to respond on their own schedule without interrupting whatever they're doing. When you leave a voicemail, you're essentially saying, "Stop what you're doing and deal with this on my timeline."

I've tried explaining this to my parents countless times. My mother, the former teacher, actually gets it now and has become quite the emoji enthusiast. But many boomers remain stubbornly attached to the idea that voice communication is inherently superior, regardless of context or convenience.

3) The infamous callback voicemail

"Hi, it's me. Call me back."

If you just felt your eye twitch, you know exactly what I'm talking about. This might be the most infuriating voicemail habit of all. You've taken the time to call, gotten through to voicemail, and then left a message that contains literally zero information.

Why not just send a missed call? Or better yet, a text with actual context? The callback voicemail forces the recipient to interrupt their day twice: Once to listen to your pointless message, and again to actually call you back and find out what you wanted.

During a particularly busy week last year, I received five of these callback voicemails from various relatives. Each one required me to stop what I was doing, listen to confirm it wasn't an emergency, then mentally schedule a return call.

A simple text would have saved everyone time and frustration.

4) Never checking their own voicemail

The irony is thick with this one. The same people who insist on leaving lengthy voicemails often have mailboxes that have been full since 2019.

"Your call cannot be completed because the voicemail box is full." Sound familiar? These are often the same people who complain that you never return their calls. Well, how can we leave a message when your inbox has been at capacity since the last presidential election?

This double standard reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of modern communication. They want to communicate on their terms, using their preferred methods, but aren't willing to extend the same courtesy to others.

5) Speaking their entire phone number digit by digit

"Hi, this is Bob. My number is five... five... five... pause... zero... one... two... three."

We live in an age where phones automatically save numbers and display caller information. Yet boomers continue to slowly dictate their phone numbers in every voicemail as if we're writing them down on a notepad by the rotary phone.

Not only is this unnecessary, but it adds another 30 seconds to an already too-long message. Your number appears on my screen. It's saved in my contacts. I promise, I know how to reach you.

6) Repeating everything twice

"Hey, it's Dad. Just calling to check in. Again, this is Dad, wanted to see how you're doing."

The repetition in boomer voicemails could be a drinking game if it weren't so frustrating. They announce who they are multiple times, repeat the purpose of their call, and often circle back to restate information they've already covered.

This habit probably stems from the days when voicemail quality was poor and messages might cut off unexpectedly. But modern technology has solved these problems. Your message is crystal clear, and we heard you the first time.

7) Using voicemail as a therapy session

Perhaps the most emotionally draining habit is when boomers use voicemail as a one-way conversation to process their thoughts and feelings.

I once received a seven-minute voicemail from an older relative that covered their entire emotional journey through a minor disagreement with their neighbor. By the time they got to asking how I was doing, my phone battery had dropped 5%.

These marathon messages put the recipient in an awkward position. Do you call back and risk getting trapped in an hour-long conversation? Do you text back and risk seeming dismissive? There's no good answer.

Final thoughts

Look, I love my boomer parents and relatives. Their dedication to staying connected is actually heartwarming, even if their methods make me want to throw my phone into the ocean sometimes.

But here's the thing: Communication is a two-way street.

Just as younger generations have had to learn to pick up the phone occasionally (yes, we're capable of actual conversation), boomers need to recognize that their voicemail habits aren't just old-fashioned, they're actively creating barriers to the connection they seek.

The solution isn't complicated. A little awareness goes a long way. Before leaving that next voicemail, ask yourself: Could this be a text? If it must be a voicemail, can I keep it under 30 seconds? Am I respecting the other person's time and communication preferences?

Because at the end of the day, whether you're 25 or 65, we all want the same thing: To stay connected with the people we care about. We just need to find ways to do it that don't make anyone want to chuck their phone out the window.