If someone calls and doesn’t leave a message (text or voice), do they assume they should receive a call back?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on who called. My sister? Yes, I assume she expects a call back. Random number I don’t recognize? No, not going to call them back.

OP here. I’m not talking about random numbers. Just regular friends or acquaintances or even work colleagues (not my boss). I’ve never felt the need to call back if they don’t bother to leave a message but perhaps I’m wrong

Yes, I call back. That’s the benefit of the caller ID and list of missed calls. Why would you think they dialed you, by mistake? Regular friends / family I call back, I assume they just wanted to say hi and chat, so when have time, I call back.

With work colleagues, I’d check sometimes with a text, but most usually would have emailed or texted.

Very very very few people leave voicemail anymore.

Yeah I get that voicemail is outdated. I never use it. But if I call someone I usually follow up with a text if I want a call a back. If I don’t need a call back I don’t leave any message. I’ve assumed through the years that that is what others people expect too. Thus my original question, do people who don’t leave any message expect call back?

I ask because I was castigated by a work colleague (not a supervisor or superior) for not calling them back. And honestly, I just always thought that no message = no expectation for a call back

Yes, they do. It may not be urgent (they would probably text in that case and also try again) but they expect you to either call them back or shoot them a text to see what the call was about. No one leaves voicemails.

Seems rude to not leave any message (nor give any indication of why they are calling) and expect the person to go to a greater length to find out why you called. I just don’t get it.

[Anonymous]

Could be a butt dial. Could be a question or update that they don't need from you later.
To get a callback you need to leave a message or text.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on who called. My sister? Yes, I assume she expects a call back. Random number I don’t recognize? No, not going to call them back.

OP here. I’m not talking about random numbers. Just regular friends or acquaintances or even work colleagues (not my boss). I’ve never felt the need to call back if they don’t bother to leave a message but perhaps I’m wrong

Yes, I call back. That’s the benefit of the caller ID and list of missed calls. Why would you think they dialed you, by mistake? Regular friends / family I call back, I assume they just wanted to say hi and chat, so when have time, I call back.

With work colleagues, I’d check sometimes with a text, but most usually would have emailed or texted.

Very very very few people leave voicemail anymore.

Yeah I get that voicemail is outdated. I never use it. But if I call someone I usually follow up with a text if I want a call a back. If I don’t need a call back I don’t leave any message. I’ve assumed through the years that that is what others people expect too. Thus my original question, do people who don’t leave any message expect call back?

I ask because I was castigated by a work colleague (not a supervisor or superior) for not calling them back. And honestly, I just always thought that no message = no expectation for a call back

I don’t get why did you call them in the first place, if you don’t follow with email or text, and don’t expect a call back, then why did you even pick up your phone and dial their number?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on who called. My sister? Yes, I assume she expects a call back. Random number I don’t recognize? No, not going to call them back.

OP here. I’m not talking about random numbers. Just regular friends or acquaintances or even work colleagues (not my boss). I’ve never felt the need to call back if they don’t bother to leave a message but perhaps I’m wrong

Yes, I call back. That’s the benefit of the caller ID and list of missed calls. Why would you think they dialed you, by mistake? Regular friends / family I call back, I assume they just wanted to say hi and chat, so when have time, I call back.

With work colleagues, I’d check sometimes with a text, but most usually would have emailed or texted.

Very very very few people leave voicemail anymore.

Yeah I get that voicemail is outdated. I never use it. But if I call someone I usually follow up with a text if I want a call a back. If I don’t need a call back I don’t leave any message. I’ve assumed through the years that that is what others people expect too. Thus my original question, do people who don’t leave any message expect call back?

I ask because I was castigated by a work colleague (not a supervisor or superior) for not calling them back. And honestly, I just always thought that no message = no expectation for a call back

Yes, they do. It may not be urgent (they would probably text in that case and also try again) but they expect you to either call them back or shoot them a text to see what the call was about. No one leaves voicemails.

NP. I didn’t get the memo that someone else’s simply dialing my phone number means I’m expected to call them back. You can call or text or email me, but if you don’t indicate the reason why you’re contacting me or ask me to follow up with you, I’ll take that to mean you decided whatever you were calling me about was unnecessary. If it is important, you’ll reach out again. If it’s not important, don’t bother me.

+1,000,000.

FFS. Leaving a voice message is not “rude,” it is a minimal effort that I certainly expect anyone to do if they expect me to undertake the time/effort of calling them back! This thread is astonishing to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on who called. My sister? Yes, I assume she expects a call back. Random number I don’t recognize? No, not going to call them back.

OP here. I’m not talking about random numbers. Just regular friends or acquaintances or even work colleagues (not my boss). I’ve never felt the need to call back if they don’t bother to leave a message but perhaps I’m wrong

Yes, I call back. That’s the benefit of the caller ID and list of missed calls. Why would you think they dialed you, by mistake? Regular friends / family I call back, I assume they just wanted to say hi and chat, so when have time, I call back.

With work colleagues, I’d check sometimes with a text, but most usually would have emailed or texted.

Very very very few people leave voicemail anymore.

Yeah I get that voicemail is outdated. I never use it. But if I call someone I usually follow up with a text if I want a call a back. If I don’t need a call back I don’t leave any message. I’ve assumed through the years that that is what others people expect too. Thus my original question, do people who don’t leave any message expect call back?

I ask because I was castigated by a work colleague (not a supervisor or superior) for not calling them back. And honestly, I just always thought that no message = no expectation for a call back

Yes, they do. It may not be urgent (they would probably text in that case and also try again) but they expect you to either call them back or shoot them a text to see what the call was about. No one leaves voicemails.

NP. I didn’t get the memo that someone else’s simply dialing my phone number means I’m expected to call them back. You can call or text or email me, but if you don’t indicate the reason why you’re contacting me or ask me to follow up with you, I’ll take that to mean you decided whatever you were calling me about was unnecessary. If it is important, you’ll reach out again. If it’s not important, don’t bother me.

+1,000,000.

FFS. Leaving a voice message is not “rude,” it is a minimal effort that I certainly expect anyone to do if they expect me to undertake the time/effort of calling them back! This thread is astonishing to me.

Leaving a voice mail isn’t rude. But it is pointless. No one listens anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on who called. My sister? Yes, I assume she expects a call back. Random number I don’t recognize? No, not going to call them back.

OP here. I’m not talking about random numbers. Just regular friends or acquaintances or even work colleagues (not my boss). I’ve never felt the need to call back if they don’t bother to leave a message but perhaps I’m wrong

Yes, I call back. That’s the benefit of the caller ID and list of missed calls. Why would you think they dialed you, by mistake? Regular friends / family I call back, I assume they just wanted to say hi and chat, so when have time, I call back.

With work colleagues, I’d check sometimes with a text, but most usually would have emailed or texted.

Very very very few people leave voicemail anymore.

Yeah I get that voicemail is outdated. I never use it. But if I call someone I usually follow up with a text if I want a call a back. If I don’t need a call back I don’t leave any message. I’ve assumed through the years that that is what others people expect too. Thus my original question, do people who don’t leave any message expect call back?

I ask because I was castigated by a work colleague (not a supervisor or superior) for not calling them back. And honestly, I just always thought that no message = no expectation for a call back

Yes, they do. It may not be urgent (they would probably text in that case and also try again) but they expect you to either call them back or shoot them a text to see what the call was about. No one leaves voicemails.

NP. I didn’t get the memo that someone else’s simply dialing my phone number means I’m expected to call them back. You can call or text or email me, but if you don’t indicate the reason why you’re contacting me or ask me to follow up with you, I’ll take that to mean you decided whatever you were calling me about was unnecessary. If it is important, you’ll reach out again. If it’s not important, don’t bother me.

+1,000,000.

FFS. Leaving a voice message is not “rude,” it is a minimal effort that I certainly expect anyone to do if they expect me to undertake the time/effort of calling them back! This thread is astonishing to me.

I’ve always thought this to be the case until I was castigated for not calling someone back after they called but left no message.

I am wondering if I am missing out on some generational or other difference where simply a call with no message means that a return call is expected.

Based on the responses it seems there is confusion about the appropriate thing to do in this situation esp related to work colleagues

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on who called. My sister? Yes, I assume she expects a call back. Random number I don’t recognize? No, not going to call them back.

OP here. I’m not talking about random numbers. Just regular friends or acquaintances or even work colleagues (not my boss). I’ve never felt the need to call back if they don’t bother to leave a message but perhaps I’m wrong

Yes, I call back. That’s the benefit of the caller ID and list of missed calls. Why would you think they dialed you, by mistake? Regular friends / family I call back, I assume they just wanted to say hi and chat, so when have time, I call back.

With work colleagues, I’d check sometimes with a text, but most usually would have emailed or texted.

Very very very few people leave voicemail anymore.

Yeah I get that voicemail is outdated. I never use it. But if I call someone I usually follow up with a text if I want a call a back. If I don’t need a call back I don’t leave any message. I’ve assumed through the years that that is what others people expect too. Thus my original question, do people who don’t leave any message expect call back?

I ask because I was castigated by a work colleague (not a supervisor or superior) for not calling them back. And honestly, I just always thought that no message = no expectation for a call back

Yes, they do. It may not be urgent (they would probably text in that case and also try again) but they expect you to either call them back or shoot them a text to see what the call was about. No one leaves voicemails.

NP. I didn’t get the memo that someone else’s simply dialing my phone number means I’m expected to call them back. You can call or text or email me, but if you don’t indicate the reason why you’re contacting me or ask me to follow up with you, I’ll take that to mean you decided whatever you were calling me about was unnecessary. If it is important, you’ll reach out again. If it’s not important, don’t bother me.

+1,000,000.

FFS. Leaving a voice message is not “rude,” it is a minimal effort that I certainly expect anyone to do if they expect me to undertake the time/effort of calling them back! This thread is astonishing to me.

I’ve always thought this to be the case until I was castigated for not calling someone back after they called but left no message.

I am wondering if I am missing out on some generational or other difference where simply a call with no message means that a return call is expected.

Based on the responses it seems there is confusion about the appropriate thing to do in this situation esp related to work colleagues

Specifically for work colleagues I would either call back or shoot them a text. I wouldn't ignore it.

[Anonymous]

No. I might text back to see why they called and if they want to talk (and when). But calling people out of the blue is a pretty inefficient way to get in touch; I generally don't answer random calls and wouldn't expect others to either.

[Anonymous]

If my mom or sister I assume they were just calling to chat and I call back when I can. They would follow up with a text it was something important

Work person or friend I dont typically chat with on the phone, I text to ask what’s up

[Anonymous]

If I know you, you call and text or leave a message I am not calling you back. I saw you called I will get back to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I was told years ago that it's not okay to leave voicemails any longer. Everyone can see you called. There's actually a funny Progressive insurance commercial about this phenomenon:

https://youtu.be/b74RkYxWhEs?feature=shared

That’s ridiculous. If I call to ask you a question or give you some information and you don’t answer, I’m going to leave the question or information in the voicemail. With a question, now you know what I want and you can text me in response if you want. With information, now you know what I wanted to tell you and we don’t necessarily need to talk. But to say it’s not ok to leave a voicemail is insane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on who called. My sister? Yes, I assume she expects a call back. Random number I don’t recognize? No, not going to call them back.

OP here. I’m not talking about random numbers. Just regular friends or acquaintances or even work colleagues (not my boss). I’ve never felt the need to call back if they don’t bother to leave a message but perhaps I’m wrong

Yes, I call back. That’s the benefit of the caller ID and list of missed calls. Why would you think they dialed you, by mistake? Regular friends / family I call back, I assume they just wanted to say hi and chat, so when have time, I call back.

With work colleagues, I’d check sometimes with a text, but most usually would have emailed or texted.

Very very very few people leave voicemail anymore.

Yeah I get that voicemail is outdated. I never use it. But if I call someone I usually follow up with a text if I want a call a back. If I don’t need a call back I don’t leave any message. I’ve assumed through the years that that is what others people expect too. Thus my original question, do people who don’t leave any message expect call back?

I ask because I was castigated by a work colleague (not a supervisor or superior) for not calling them back. And honestly, I just always thought that no message = no expectation for a call back

Yes, they do. It may not be urgent (they would probably text in that case and also try again) but they expect you to either call them back or shoot them a text to see what the call was about. No one leaves voicemails.

I got two today. One from a friend. One from someone at work. Both on my personal phone.

[Anonymous]

Nope. If you need something leave a message or send a text. I’m not calling back unless you let me know why you called in the first place

[Anonymous]

No, I wouldn’t call back. If it’s a close friend or DH I might text and say sorry I missed your call, what’s up. If I miss two calls from someone I know back to back I would answer or call back right away, this happened once and someone was having an emergency. A boss? I can’t imagine my boss calling and not leaving a message or sending an email, but I guess I would maybe email and say I saw I missed a call and did they need something.

[Anonymous]

No. I’ll text if it’s my kid or something. Otherwise, no. If they want your attention, they will leave a message via text or voicemail or email.