Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:04 PM

People leaving voicemail recordings that say, "I'll get back to you at MY earliest CONVENIENCE"

I can't take it any more. I think people with voicemail recordings saying, "I'll get back to you at MY earliest CONVENIENCE" have no idea that what they're actually saying is, "Leave me a message, but be warned that I'm only going to respond to you whenever I darn feel it's convenient for me, so too bad!"

Has anyone else run into these voicemail recordings before? Is it a sign of the times, bad etiquette, or just a bout of illiteracy?

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130 replies	Author	Time	Post
People leaving voicemail recordings that say, "I'll get back to you at MY earliest CONVENIENCE" (Original post)	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	OP
Or honesty.	Quantess	Jan 2012	#1
Plain rudeness. :) nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#2
Maybe. It depends what your relationship is to them, of course.	Quantess	Jan 2012	#4
But listen to the message. It means, "when it's convenient for me"	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#13
So they should call back when it's grossly inconvenient for them?	TheWraith	Jan 2012	#68
it wouldn't make much sense for the message to say that they'll call back at the other party's	onenote	Jan 2012	#75
Of course not. The original term was used for LEAVING a message, not in a vm recording for callers	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#82
Again, we just hear the messages differently I guess.	onenote	Jan 2012	#88
That's not the point.	dmr	Jan 2012	#50
I suppose. Myself, I try to be considerate by having an extremely short answering message	Quantess	Jan 2012	#59
So what should they say instead?	Cali_Democrat	Jan 2012	#3
"Please leave me a voicemail and I will return your call"	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#6
The police aren't allowed to arrest you for being rude.	TheWraith	Jan 2012	#70
Quite rude. nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#76
The appropriate greeting is fine, except	LiberalAndProud	Jan 2012	#95
I would rather be told my call will be returned at the other party's EARLIEST convenience	onenote	Jan 2012	#80
Are you really going to return their call?	oldhippie	Jan 2012	#103
My greeting for the past 30 years...	Kahuna	Jan 2012	#113
I think you're overreacting. They might be doing something that they ...	BlueJazz	Jan 2012	#5
ahahahaha! EXACTLY! They might be taking a shower at work :) nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#8
Maybe they work in a coal mine and don't want to get their iphone dirty.	BlueJazz	Jan 2012	#18
ROFLMAO! A deep sea diver working 80 hrs a week, and, poor dear, can't take 30 seconds to call nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#22
Maybe one of the sharks ate his hands.	BlueJazz	Jan 2012	#53
...Or his phone! nt	Buns_of_Fire	Jan 2012	#112
Overreacting, ya think?!?!?	bigwillq	Jan 2012	#31
Except when I hear this type of message.....	Sheepshank	Jan 2012	#58
Because you have a limited definition of the word	jberryhill	Jan 2012	#7
Mine says	hobbit709	Jan 2012	#9
That's kinda cute :) nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#10
Of course a lot of my friends leave "woof, woof" messages.	hobbit709	Jan 2012	#28
LOL! Dog lovers, no doubt. nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#29
Sounds fine to me. My life isn't run by people who leave me voicemail.	phantom power	Jan 2012	#11
how about "i'm too fucking busy and i'll get back to you when i get back to you?"	frylock	Jan 2012	#12
Works for me	taterguy	Jan 2012	#14
Actually, it's more along the lines of, "I'll call you when I damned well feel like it" nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#27
more like "IF I damn well feel like it!"	oldhippie	Jan 2012	#107
That's EXACTLY what "at my earliest convenience" means: "I'm too fucking busy, so screw off"	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#15
They're just not that into you	cthulu2016	Jan 2012	#16
You clearly have that recording on your voicemail. :) LOL! nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#25
I'm sorry. I'm unavailable to read your message. I'll read and respond at my earliest convenience.	Liberal Veteran	Jan 2012	#17
Read #5. He expressed exactly what "at my earliest convenience" means nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#19
"I'll return your call if when I damn well feel like it"	L0oniX	Jan 2012	#20
That's exactly what "at my earliest convenience" means! nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#23
My voicemail at work says something similar	tammywammy	Jan 2012	#21
It's obtuse. It might be unintentional owing to stupidity, or deliberate, owing to hubris.	MADem	Jan 2012	#24
You're right. It's a sign of a poor education, illiteracy, horrific manners, egocentrism	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#26
That's kind of how it works.	bigwillq	Jan 2012	#30
Then may as well say what the message means, "I'll call you when I f*****g feel like it" nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#32
Now, that would be rude.	bigwillq	Jan 2012	#33
Why? 'Cause one version actually says the words, 'when I fucking feel like it" and the other merely	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#38
It's not funny...but it is, if you know what I mean! nt	MADem	Jan 2012	#34
I do know what you mean. It's so rude, you've got to laugh. nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#37
Well, yes.	lumberjack_jeff	Jan 2012	#90
When I worked at Starbucks many years ago	tammywammy	Jan 2012	#97
Right on. n/t	lumberjack_jeff	Jan 2012	#121
LOL. I think the biggest revelation in my life was when someone said to me.	Liberal Veteran	Jan 2012	#35
Smart man!	bigwillq	Jan 2012	#40
Oh my. Now that's the prototypical, "at my earliest convenience" user!	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#41
How is that rude?	tammywammy	Jan 2012	#48
I agree with your OP,	kiva	Jan 2012	#108
Perfectly said. This is the correct answer. nt	woo me with science	Jan 2012	#43
Bravo!	lolly	Jan 2012	#105
As if people should drop EVERYTHING to call you back.	alphafemale	Jan 2012	#36
No, you're right. It's good to say it, even tho it sounds like, "when I fucking feel like it"	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#39
Yes. Doing things that are important to me.	alphafemale	Jan 2012	#42
As I said, you win. Death to etiquette and good manners! Yipee! Rudeness wins! nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#44
Can be looked at two ways	chowder66	Jan 2012	#45
I see it as just another indication that illiteracy has taken over the country and reigns supreme nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#47
You are starting to sound like my brother-in-law.	JoePhilly	Jan 2012	#65
Exactly. At my convenience is the best that should be hoped for.	alphafemale	Jan 2012	#77
The fact that it sounds liek "when I fucking feel like it" to you doesn't mean it sounds that way	onenote	Jan 2012	#86
They should be damned glad I'm listening to their message at all, that's how I see it.	redqueen	Jan 2012	#46
~95% of the calls on my voice mail are solicitations ... so I only check it maybe once a week.	JoePhilly	Jan 2012	#49
There are oodles of solicitation calls, but when one calls a business place, business to business	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#51
Your OP does not narrow the focus of the discussion to you calling a business.	JoePhilly	Jan 2012	#73
No need to give a segment of time. Simply ask the individual to leave a message, and promise you	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#74
Actually, there is a business reason to give a time frame.	JoePhilly	Jan 2012	#92
I never had that happen before. Here is how you work these annoying charity calls you get	southernyankeebelle	Jan 2012	#52
I've had one business calling for years to inform me my car was ready to be picked up.	Liberal Veteran	Jan 2012	#56
Gee really? I think that is so funny.	southernyankeebelle	Jan 2012	#71
Oh, at home it's a different story. I have a polite message, and don't call soliciations back	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#57
Oh, I wondered because I never had that happen at home. Thanks that is funny. I have been retired	southernyankeebelle	Jan 2012	#69
What's even more annoying is the increased use of autodialers.	Initech	Jan 2012	#54
Or when you pick up the phone and they say, "Please hold while I connect you...."	Liberal Veteran	Jan 2012	#61
OMG yes. I hate that almost as much as I hate autodialers.	Initech	Jan 2012	#79
I hang up immediately when i get that crap	neverforget	Jan 2012	#120
True. Do you get those at work? We don't get any at work. At home? Yup. nt	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#63
Both. And they don't even try to hide it anymore.	Initech	Jan 2012	#66
Autodialers normally get hung up on.	lumberjack_jeff	Jan 2012	#93
I hear this often on business calls (and recordings) and cringe.	Sheepshank	Jan 2012	#55
You're probably right. The person using that phrase probably thinks it's 'classy' and has no clue	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#60
I understand that you think it is rude.	Hatchling	Jan 2012	#62
I suspect that people using that, are unaware of how rudely they present themselves by using a	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#72
How do you feel about "I will call you back at my earliest opportunity."	onenote	Jan 2012	#94
Are you trying to say you're some sort of opportunist?	Snake Alchemist	Jan 2012	#99
opportunity means the same as crisis in Chinese.	Quantess	Jan 2012	#101
Maybe you should have capitalized "earliest" too.	moriah	Jan 2012	#64
Yep	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#83
So, drop everything and call you back? nt	Dreamer Tatum	Jan 2012	#67
It's business... so... I guess you're supposed to lie?	redqueen	Jan 2012	#78
i no longer have voicemail on my land line.	barbtries	Jan 2012	#81
how in the world do you conceive of "I will return your call at my convenience" is rude?	niyad	Jan 2012	#84
Read how these phrases ended up confused by the less aware:	Sarah Ibarruri	Jan 2012	#85
And why should I trust recruitingblogs.com again?	Snake Alchemist	Jan 2012	#96
You mean, this is a ridiculous thread?	Quantess	Jan 2012	#100
But it's a fun thread ......	oldhippie	Jan 2012	#110
the veiled insult was cute. and I repeat, some people have wayyyyyy too much time on their hands.	niyad	Jan 2012	#104
"My wife is having a baby and we're in the delivery, but I knew you wanted a call back" nt	Snake Alchemist	Jan 2012	#87
Maybe it's an age thing? How old are you? nt	Snake Alchemist	Jan 2012	#89
Mine just says: Holla!!! nt	Snake Alchemist	Jan 2012	#91
Mine says just that	ecstatic	Jan 2012	#98
I don't care what you job recruiter says...	TreasonousBastard	Jan 2012	#102
my favourite message is, "you have reached the psychic research network. we know who you are, and	niyad	Jan 2012	#106
I've recently made my recording more polite .....	oldhippie	Jan 2012	#109
Sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it.	pa28	Jan 2012	#111
I have that message on my cell phone VM	Missy Vixen	Jan 2012	#114
Mine says "This is REP. This hasn't been Jon Bumblefuck's number for 10 years. If you want him,	REP	Jan 2012	#115
My voicemail says, "We'll call you back as soon as we can."	MineralMan	Jan 2012	#116
You seem unhappy.	Throd	Jan 2012	#117
Voice Mail Villanelle	eridani	Jan 2012	#118
DU has its own Andy Rooney!	Robb	Jan 2012	#119
No, never ran into one of those, but I'm looking forward to it.	Zorra	Jan 2012	#122
Mine says: "Fuck you, you fucking fuck!"	ZombieHorde	Jan 2012	#123
I don't do that but get	treestar	Jan 2012	#124
Absolutely amazing the trivialities that some people will get all exercised about!!	WillowTree	Jan 2012	#125
Mine came with a message already on it	Major Nikon	Jan 2012	#126
Someone needs to buy you a cell phone.	randome	Jan 2012	#127
Guess you wouldn't like mine either then. "Leave a fucking message if you must."	lonestarnot	Jan 2012	#128
It's rude. No doubt.	Nauvoo	Sep 2019	#129
Welcome to DU. How did you find such an old thread?	uppityperson	Sep 2019	#130

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:04 PM

Quantess (27,630 posts)

1. Or honesty.

Reply to this post

Response to Quantess (Reply #1)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:05 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

2. Plain rudeness. :) nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #2)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:07 PM

Quantess (27,630 posts)

4. Maybe. It depends what your relationship is to them, of course.

I wouldn't want a friend to inconvenience themselves to call me back, in most cases.

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Response to Quantess (Reply #4)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:13 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

13. But listen to the message. It means, "when it's convenient for me"

Kinda like saying, "Screw you, your needs, your convenience, your everything. Only I count here, buddy."

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #13)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:02 PM

TheWraith (24,331 posts)

68. So they should call back when it's grossly inconvenient for them?

The recipient of your phone call should realize your time is so much more important than theirs, that they should drop what they're doing in favor of appeasing you?

You're reading a lot into a polite phase that simply means "when I get the chance".

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #13)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:11 PM

onenote (40,036 posts)

75. it wouldn't make much sense for the message to say that they'll call back at the other party's

convenience.

I interpret that message as saying that when the person is able, considering everything else that may be going on in their lives that may take priority, they'll call back. Nothing more or less. I know folks who leave messages that say inform the person that they're message may not get returned for a while if at all because the person rarely checks that particular phone for messages. I view the "at my earliest convenience" as the opposite of that sort of message.

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Response to onenote (Reply #75)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:16 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

82. Of course not. The original term was used for LEAVING a message, not in a vm recording for callers

In business:

If you leave a message for someone else, you may say, "... Hi Richard, this is Johnny Appleseed. I wanted to discuss something with you, so please call me at your earliest convenience. Thank you." Polite.

NOT record this little bitchy voicemail recording for whoever calls you to listen to: "This is Richard Rude-as-hell. I'm away from the phone right now. Leave me a message and I'll return it a MY earliest convenience."

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #82)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:24 PM

onenote (40,036 posts)

88. Again, we just hear the messages differently I guess.

If the message was "I'll return the call when its convenient", I might find that a off-putting. But I hear a message that says that they'll return the call at their "earliest" convenience as an indication that my call is going to be given some priority. And I would find a message that simply says leave a message and I'll return the call to be a bit offputting since to my ears that sounds like "whenever" or "but don't expect it any time soon."

But to each their own, I guess.

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Response to Quantess (Reply #4)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:47 PM

dmr (27,998 posts)

50. That's not the point.

The point is etiquette. Decorum. The same reason you say please, thank you & you're welcome. The reason why you would hold the door open for someone else, and why it's nice when someone does likewise for you.

The message described in the OP is a statement telling the caller that their call is unimportant. That is quite a turn-off.

Think about it this way: You are respectful to your friends for not wanting to inconvenience them. It's nice to receive that respect in return, instead of arrogance.

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Response to dmr (Reply #50)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:56 PM

Quantess (27,630 posts)

59. I suppose. Myself, I try to be considerate by having an extremely short answering message

so as not to bore them or take up too much of their time while they're waiting for the beep.

I get impatient at overly long blah-de-blah, waiting for the beep, no matter if they say please and thank you a bunch of times. You can't please everyone no matter how hard you try!

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:07 PM

Cali_Democrat (30,439 posts)

3. So what should they say instead?

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Response to Cali_Democrat (Reply #3)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:10 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

6. "Please leave me a voicemail and I will return your call"

End of story.

What's this business about MY earliest convenience? I keep thinking that people who say that would get stopped by an officer, respond equally as rudely to the officer, and get carted off to jail.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #6)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:05 PM

TheWraith (24,331 posts)

70. The police aren't allowed to arrest you for being rude.

And admitting that you'll return a call when it's convenient for you isn't rude, anyway.

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Response to TheWraith (Reply #70)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:11 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

76. Quite rude. nt

Here's a segment of an article by a job recruiter precisely on that.

Leaving a Voicemail GREETING utilizing “at MY earliest convenience”
Rule: NOT Acceptable…BAD
Let’s say John decides to change his voicemail GREETING. And the voicemail message he just heard me leave was stuck in his head. He figures he can just modify the phrase “at YOUR earliest convenience,” and change it ever so slightly to: “at MY earliest convenience.”
It is very acceptable for me to leave a voicemail MESSAGE for John asking him: “Hey John, please return my call at YOUR earliest convenience.”
However, it’s NOT ok for John to modify that phrase (most often in a voicemail GREETING) to “at MY earliest convenience.”
Here’s where the problems begin…
John proceeds to record this voicemail GREETING:
“Hello, you have reached John. I am unavailable to take your call. Please leave a message and I will get back to you at MY earliest convenience.”
WRONG!!! (Loud game-show buzzers should be going off in the background).
WRONG, WRONG, double WRONG!
John, buddy, you can’t do that!
By recording a greeting on voicemail that uses “at MY earliest convenience” John has unknowingly thumbed his nose at all of his callers that heard his recorded greeting.
Look at it closely. If you use the phrase “at MY earliest convenience,” on your voicemail GREETING, you are telling your callers that you will call them back “at MY earliest CONVENIENCE.” That means you’ve said to them in effect…
“I’ll call you back when it’s CONVENIENT for ME.”
“When I’m good and ready.”
“Whenever I feel like it.”
John may as well have recorded this voicemail GREETING:
“Hello, you have reached John. I am unavailable to take your call. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you whenever I feel like it…whenever it works for me…whenever it’s convenient for me. You know…at MY earliest CONVENIENCE.”

John, say it isn’t so! We thought you were such a good guy!
John would do better to keep it simple with regard to recorded voicemail greetings. He would do just fine with this very appropriate voicemail GREETING:
“Hello, you have reached John. I am unavailable to take your call, but your call is very important to me. Please leave a message and I will get back with you as soon as possible.”

http://www.recruitingblogs.com/profiles/blogs/at-your-earliest-convenience

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #76)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:29 PM

LiberalAndProud (12,799 posts)

95. The appropriate greeting is fine, except

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, don't tell me that "your call is very important to me." I am allergic to the phrase. It makes me sneeze-*bullshit*-cough every time I hear it. It's a dreadfully hackneyed, irritating and meaningless phrase.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #6)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:15 PM

onenote (40,036 posts)

80. I would rather be told my call will be returned at the other party's EARLIEST convenience

than simply be told simply that they'll return my call..a message that indicates that they attach no particular importance to returning calls at all. To me the message you're endorsing sounds no different than a message that says "Leave a message and I'll return your call when I get around to it." That would be rude.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #6)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:02 PM

oldhippie (3,249 posts)

103. Are you really going to return their call?

What if it's an annoying sales call? You still going to call them back? If not, you're being dishonest, which to me is worse than impolite.

Reply to this post

Response to Cali_Democrat (Reply #3)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:39 PM

Kahuna (27,303 posts)

113. My greeting for the past 30 years...

Hi, this is blank. I'm sorry I can't come to the phone right now. But if you'll leave your name and number when you hear the beep,I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you.

I agree that saying, at my convenience sounds rude.

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:08 PM

BlueJazz (25,348 posts)

5. I think you're overreacting. They might be doing something that they ...

....can't stop, like a shower, on the roof, washing dishes or a ton of other things.

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Response to BlueJazz (Reply #5)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:11 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

8. ahahahaha! EXACTLY! They might be taking a shower at work :) nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #8)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:15 PM

BlueJazz (25,348 posts)

18. Maybe they work in a coal mine and don't want to get their iphone dirty.

...or maybe they're a deep sea diver and are fighting off 769 sharks.

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Response to BlueJazz (Reply #18)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:17 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

22. ROFLMAO! A deep sea diver working 80 hrs a week, and, poor dear, can't take 30 seconds to call nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #22)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:52 PM

BlueJazz (25,348 posts)

53. Maybe one of the sharks ate his hands.

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Response to BlueJazz (Reply #53)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:38 PM

Buns_of_Fire (16,266 posts)

112. ...Or his phone! nt

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Response to BlueJazz (Reply #5)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:25 PM

bigwillq (72,790 posts)

31. Overreacting, ya think?!?!?

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Response to BlueJazz (Reply #5)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:56 PM

Sheepshank (12,504 posts)

58. Except when I hear this type of message.....

it's invariably related to a business call made to a business, officer, admin assitant etc.

Not a call to a home where the resident may actually not give a shit about who many be calling them.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:11 PM

jberryhill (62,444 posts)

7. Because you have a limited definition of the word

The illiteracy is at your end:

1
: fitness or suitability for performing an action or fulfilling a requirement
2
a : something (as an appliance, device, or service) conducive to comfort or ease

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:11 PM

hobbit709 (41,694 posts)

9. Mine says

"There's no one here but the dogs, so you'll have to leave a message"

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Response to hobbit709 (Reply #9)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:11 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

10. That's kinda cute :) nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #10)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:22 PM

hobbit709 (41,694 posts)

28. Of course a lot of my friends leave "woof, woof" messages.

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Response to hobbit709 (Reply #28)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:23 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

29. LOL! Dog lovers, no doubt. nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:11 PM

phantom power (25,966 posts)

11. Sounds fine to me. My life isn't run by people who leave me voicemail.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:12 PM

frylock (34,825 posts)

12. how about "i'm too fucking busy and i'll get back to you when i get back to you?"

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Response to frylock (Reply #12)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:13 PM

taterguy (29,582 posts)

14. Works for me

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Response to taterguy (Reply #14)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:22 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

27. Actually, it's more along the lines of, "I'll call you when I damned well feel like it" nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #27)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:06 PM

oldhippie (3,249 posts)

107. more like "IF I damn well feel like it!"

Reply to this post

Response to frylock (Reply #12)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:14 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

15. That's EXACTLY what "at my earliest convenience" means: "I'm too fucking busy, so screw off"

It's amazing people are leaving messages like that on their voicemail recordings.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:14 PM

cthulu2016 (10,960 posts)

16. They're just not that into you

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Response to cthulu2016 (Reply #16)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:19 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

25. You clearly have that recording on your voicemail. :) LOL! nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:14 PM

Liberal Veteran (22,239 posts)

17. I'm sorry. I'm unavailable to read your message. I'll read and respond at my earliest convenience.

Thank you,
Liberal Veteran.

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Response to Liberal Veteran (Reply #17)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:15 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

19. Read #5. He expressed exactly what "at my earliest convenience" means nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:16 PM

L0oniX (31,493 posts)

20. "I'll return your call if when I damn well feel like it"

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Response to L0oniX (Reply #20)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:18 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

23. That's exactly what "at my earliest convenience" means! nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:16 PM

tammywammy (26,582 posts)

21. My voicemail at work says something similar

Last edited Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:23 PM - Edit history (1)

"...I'll return your call as soon as possible." Because it's true. It's at my earliest convenience. Maybe I know this conversation is going to take 20 min and I have to be at a meeting in 5 min. Even if it says "as soon as possible" that's really not true - because again, there maybe things that are a higher priority than returning this call. Everyone has to prioritize their day, at least the person's voicemail is being honest.

edited to add: I was thinking more about what my voicemail says and no, it doesn't use this phrase it says "as soon as I can" which would mean the same thing - as soon as I'm available to return your call.

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:18 PM

MADem (135,425 posts)

24. It's obtuse. It might be unintentional owing to stupidity, or deliberate, owing to hubris.

There are no small number of people in this world, unfortunately, who have been raised to believe that the sun rises and sets around them, and everything from what they had for breakfast to the size of their bowel moments are life snippets that people eagerly await from them. They have no boundaries. They feel motivated to share even the most noxious and personal details, because they've been taught to believe that they are the Most Important Person In The Whole Wide World and, as children, they got positive feedback for this sort of thing.

Then, there are people who are just poorly educated. They probably heard someone else politely saying "Please get back to me at YOUR earliest convenience" and figured that flipping the phrase was equally polite!

I've never heard such a voicemail, but I'm no longer out there in the business/commerce/gov't world. I'd probably just laugh at the absurdity of it all (beats crying over the death of basic manners, I suppose!).

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Response to MADem (Reply #24)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:21 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

26. You're right. It's a sign of a poor education, illiteracy, horrific manners, egocentrism

Yup, either one laughs or one cries at the sheer ignorance of it.

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:24 PM

bigwillq (72,790 posts)

30. That's kind of how it works.

If you call me, I will try to get back to you at MY earliest convenience. Don't like it, don't call me anymore.

It's not rude or bad etiquette, imo. It's called reality.

Reply to this post

Response to bigwillq (Reply #30)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:26 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

32. Then may as well say what the message means, "I'll call you when I f*****g feel like it" nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #32)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:26 PM

bigwillq (72,790 posts)

33. Now, that would be rude.

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Response to bigwillq (Reply #33)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:32 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

38. Why? 'Cause one version actually says the words, 'when I fucking feel like it" and the other merely

implies it without saying it?

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #32)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:28 PM

MADem (135,425 posts)

34. It's not funny...but it is, if you know what I mean! nt

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Response to MADem (Reply #34)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:30 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

37. I do know what you mean. It's so rude, you've got to laugh. nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #32)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:24 PM

lumberjack_jeff (33,224 posts)

90. Well, yes.

If you need me for something, I'll try to work it into my schedule. You're welcome to consider me rude, but if you show it, the point at which "I f*****g feel like it" will probably become somewhat delayed.

I hate phones. You go to the auto parts store, stand in line and just when it's your turn, the phone rings.

Who's *really* first in line? The f'ing telephone.

Unlike the phone which usually rolls to voicemail even if I'm standing right here scratching my butt, I love email. I try to respond as quickly as I can to email to train people to not interrupt me with the phone.

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Response to lumberjack_jeff (Reply #90)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:36 PM

tammywammy (26,582 posts)

97. When I worked at Starbucks many years ago

For a long time I worked the morning rush period. For some reason people would call the store at the busiest time of the day. Our manager finally said "if we have a line to do door - you do not have to answer the phone." Which we were all thankful for, as every employee felt it was rude to leave a customer standing at the register to go answer a phone. If someone complained about trying to call in the morning we were to politely explain that they called during our busiest time of the day and the customer in front of us is always the most important.

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Response to tammywammy (Reply #97)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 10:26 PM

lumberjack_jeff (33,224 posts)

121. Right on. n/t

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Response to bigwillq (Reply #30)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:29 PM

Liberal Veteran (22,239 posts)

35. LOL. I think the biggest revelation in my life was when someone said to me.

When I asked him why he didn't answer the phone that was ringing, he said, "The phone is there for my convenience. It is not an open invitation to barge into my home and interrupt what I may be doing."

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Response to Liberal Veteran (Reply #35)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:33 PM

bigwillq (72,790 posts)

40. Smart man!

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Response to Liberal Veteran (Reply #35)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:34 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

41. Oh my. Now that's the prototypical, "at my earliest convenience" user!

Rudeness wins again!

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #41)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:46 PM

tammywammy (26,582 posts)

48. How is that rude?

They're in their own home and busy doing something else and didn't want to talk on the phone. When I was a kid we never answered the phone during dinner. Was that rude of my family to make people leave messages? Is it rude if I don't take a call when I'm otherwise occupied?

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #41)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:13 PM

kiva (4,373 posts)

108. I agree with your OP,

it's at best tone-deaf and at worst rude to include that phrase in a recorded greeting.

But I'll disagree with labeling that post as rude. It isn't rude not to answer a call - if you're at work it may be a bad business choice, but not rude. Unless that person is peeking in your window they do not know that you are deliberately not answering their call, and there's the rudeness marker, IMO...the rudeness happens when you make it clear to people that you are a special snowflake whose time is sooooo important that they should be grateful that you are willing to return the call when you have nothing better to do.

So just close the blinds and ignore away!

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Response to Liberal Veteran (Reply #35)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:38 PM

woo me with science (32,139 posts)

43. Perfectly said. This is the correct answer. nt

Last edited Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:21 PM - Edit history (1)

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Response to Liberal Veteran (Reply #35)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:04 PM

lolly (3,248 posts)

105. Bravo!

I have no idea why people feel obligated to drop everything--dinner, bathing a child, reading a good book, helping out a client, kissing a spouse--because somebody somewhere decided he/she wants to tell you something.

It may have made sense before answering machines, but now that we can finish what we're doing uninterrupted and then get back when we have time, I can't imagine why we would continue to let ourselves be ruled by a ringing phone.

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:29 PM

alphafemale (18,497 posts)

36. As if people should drop EVERYTHING to call you back.

I think you need to get over your damn self.

Yes.

Peoples' own needs and wants are more important than your MEMEME! intrusion into their lives.

Be grateful if convenient for them is EVER.

This is the dumbest thing I've read all day and I've already seen plenty of dumb.

Reply to this post

Response to alphafemale (Reply #36)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:33 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

39. No, you're right. It's good to say it, even tho it sounds like, "when I fucking feel like it"

You're right. Rudeness wins again! You win.

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #39)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:38 PM

alphafemale (18,497 posts)

42. Yes. Doing things that are important to me.

And the needs of those around me like fixing food for my family are more important than returning a phone call.

And maybe you should make it "IF I feel like it"

Reply to this post

Response to alphafemale (Reply #42)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:40 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

44. As I said, you win. Death to etiquette and good manners! Yipee! Rudeness wins! nt

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #39)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:41 PM

chowder66 (8,156 posts)

45. Can be looked at two ways

If this is a message at a business it could be taken as customer-unfriendly but thinking about it, I would rather have some one call me when it IS convenient so they are not inconvenienced and distracted. It could probably be said better but I don't think it is quite as bad as all that.

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Response to chowder66 (Reply #45)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:45 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

47. I see it as just another indication that illiteracy has taken over the country and reigns supreme nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #39)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:00 PM

JoePhilly (27,787 posts)

65. You are starting to sound like my brother-in-law.

My wife and I work in technology and so for some reason, he thinks we are his technical support staff.

Recently, he had a computer issue and he called our home and left a message. No one was there. He called my cell. I was in a meeting. He called my wife's cell, she was on a 5-6 hour airplane flight to the West Coast.

I ended up working late, got home, fed the kids, helped them do homework, and then went straight to bed. My wife landed in CA, had meetings until 11pm CA time (2am East coast time) ... so she went to bed.

The next morning, at 9am EST he calls my wife and starts complaining because she didn't respond promptly to his urgent computer issue, as if she worked for him. Of course he was unaware that it was 6am on the West Coast, and he work her an hour earlier than she intended.

And so ... here is another way to see this ... the people you are calling ... they don't work for you.

And you can not expect them to drop everything just for you, or anyone else who has decided that THEY are the most important thing in your life at the current moment.

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Response to JoePhilly (Reply #65)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:12 PM

alphafemale (18,497 posts)

77. Exactly. At my convenience is the best that should be hoped for.

OP is suggesting their wishes should supersede that of the person they called.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #39)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:20 PM

onenote (40,036 posts)

86. The fact that it sounds liek "when I fucking feel like it" to you doesn't mean it sounds that way

to everyone. Or even most people.

Its never bothered me in the slightest. And as I posted earlier, to my ears (but not yours), a message that says simply "leave a a message and I'll return the call" sounds like "leave a message and I"ll return the call when I get around to it"

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:42 PM

redqueen (112,669 posts)

46. They should be damned glad I'm listening to their message at all, that's how I see it.

I'll let Stephen Fry speak for me. I do not like telephones. I know they're necessary and convenient but I don't have to like them

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7xXSw07zrio#t=213s

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:46 PM

JoePhilly (27,787 posts)

49. ~95% of the calls on my voice mail are solicitations ... so I only check it maybe once a week.

The message is simple ... "We can't take your call right now, if you would like, you can leave a message after the beep." No suggestion that we will EVER return your call.

If you call and we are home, we screen the call. If we know who you are and we are able, we answer it. If you block your #, or its says "private number", or "toll free number" ... we won't answer it at all.

About once a week we purge it. Most is junk. Occasionally, its the Dr office calling to remind you of an appointment, maybe the pharmacy has a prescription ready, or the kid's school principle is doing a blast call of the week's activities (although he tends to go on and on and the recording times out on him, which is kind of funny -- we take bets on whether he can get done before timing out).

In any case, if we know you, then you already know how to reach each of us the fastest. Texting my kids is the fastest way to reach them. Cell-phone is best way to reach my wife. Email or IM is usually fastest path to me, I'm usually bolted to that. And our friends and family know all of that.

Reply to this post

Response to JoePhilly (Reply #49)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:48 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

51. There are oodles of solicitation calls, but when one calls a business place, business to business

it's just plain illiteracy to find that the person on the other end doesn't understand that, "at my earliest convenience" is a clear sign of illiteracy.

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #51)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:09 PM

JoePhilly (27,787 posts)

73. Your OP does not narrow the focus of the discussion to you calling a business.

A business using the wording you use is unacceptable. The general etiquette for this is that the message should provide as specific time period as possible.

And so ... "we will get back to you within the next 30 minutes" ... or "the next 1 hour", or "before the end of the day". It should be something specific.

Small businesses struggle with this because sometimes they are not sure of their work load and so the time frame might be hard to declare with confidence. I've encountered situations in which a family run business (say plumbing) is basically one guy who owns it, many 2 or 3 other guys he employees, and his wife who answers the phone. If they have kids, she won't always be home, and so the message is along the lines of "as soon as possible".

Reply to this post

Response to JoePhilly (Reply #73)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:11 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

74. No need to give a segment of time. Simply ask the individual to leave a message, and promise you

will return the call. In business, it's often impossible to say, so why use a version of, "When I feel like it?"

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #74)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:27 PM

JoePhilly (27,787 posts)

92. Actually, there is a business reason to give a time frame.

When possible, it gives the caller some idea of how long the response might be.

In more advanced business telephony systems, you can have multiple messages. One for when you go to lunch, or if you are on vacation. Or traveling. Some sales people change their messages daily specifically because they are often traveling and can't be reached.

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:50 PM

southernyankeebelle (11,304 posts)

52. I never had that happen before. Here is how you work these annoying charity calls you get

over and over and over. When they call and ask for Mrs so and so tell them she isn't home and she is out of the country for a few months. They don't call back. Or tell them she doesn't live here anymore I am renting her home. Works all the time.

Reply to this post

Response to southernyankeebelle (Reply #52)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:54 PM

Liberal Veteran (22,239 posts)

56. I've had one business calling for years to inform me my car was ready to be picked up.

Like once or twice a year.

Of course, I've don't do business with that particular dealership.

I figure eventually they'll realize they keep calling the wrong number.

Reply to this post

Response to Liberal Veteran (Reply #56)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:05 PM

southernyankeebelle (11,304 posts)

71. Gee really? I think that is so funny.

Reply to this post

Response to southernyankeebelle (Reply #52)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:55 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

57. Oh, at home it's a different story. I have a polite message, and don't call soliciations back

Unless of course, it's from family, friends, I'm waiting for the call, or for a Democratic Party cause.

For business purposes (which is where it's generally found!), it's downright illiterate (or rude - though I think it's probably more illiterate than rude), to have a vm recording that basically says "I'll call you when I damned well feel like it."

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #57)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:03 PM

southernyankeebelle (11,304 posts)

69. Oh, I wondered because I never had that happen at home. Thanks that is funny. I have been retired

for awhile I just didn't think about that.

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:53 PM

Initech (97,263 posts)

54. What's even more annoying is the increased use of autodialers.

I fucking hate autodialers with a serious passion. And telemarketers and banks are using them at exponentially bad rates. And per Lewis Black that means "shittier and shittier and shittier".

Reply to this post

Response to Initech (Reply #54)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:57 PM

Liberal Veteran (22,239 posts)

61. Or when you pick up the phone and they say, "Please hold while I connect you...."

You fucking called me and you expect me to sit on hold and wait for your next available representative?

Reply to this post

Response to Liberal Veteran (Reply #61)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:13 PM

Initech (97,263 posts)

79. OMG yes. I hate that almost as much as I hate autodialers.

Reply to this post

Response to Liberal Veteran (Reply #61)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 09:39 PM

neverforget (9,424 posts)

120. I hang up immediately when i get that crap

Reply to this post

Response to Initech (Reply #54)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:57 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

63. True. Do you get those at work? We don't get any at work. At home? Yup. nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #63)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:00 PM

Initech (97,263 posts)

66. Both. And they don't even try to hide it anymore.

What is even more annoying than that is when you answer and a telemarketer transfers you to a manager.

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Response to Initech (Reply #54)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:27 PM

lumberjack_jeff (33,224 posts)

93. Autodialers normally get hung up on.

*ring*
"hello?"
1 or 2 second pause
*click*

Fuck 'em. If it was important there would have been someone on the other end pushing buttons.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:53 PM

Sheepshank (12,504 posts)

55. I hear this often on business calls (and recordings) and cringe.

I honestly believe the person leaving the greeting is a little clueless and simply trying to sound professionally clued in. However, it is a "fail".

Reply to this post

Response to Sheepshank (Reply #55)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:57 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

60. You're probably right. The person using that phrase probably thinks it's 'classy' and has no clue

what it means.

It reminds me somewhat of that Britcom, "Keeping Up Appearances" in which Hyacinth Bucket, who comes from a very humble background, attempts to present herself as a blue-blood, always failing miserably.

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:57 PM

Hatchling (2,323 posts)

62. I understand that you think it is rude.

But I don't think I understand why you think it is illiterate. Could you explain that, please?

Reply to this post

Response to Hatchling (Reply #62)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:07 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

72. I suspect that people using that, are unaware of how rudely they present themselves by using a

phrase that basically means, "I'll call you back when I fucking feel like it." There is a business etiquette, and using terminology that reflects badly on one, is definitely frowned upon.

Why is it illiteracy? Because the term, "please call me at YOUR earliest convenience" is the correct term (implying that you will go out of your way for the individual, and do not wish to inconvenience him/her). I suspect people who are less than aware, educated, etc., might simply be not applying it correctly, not know how to apply it correctly, and think that it's just as fine to say, "At MY earliest convenience" (implying that "I will call when I'm f****g ready to"

.

Here's a segment of an article by a job recruiter precisely on that.

Leaving a Voicemail GREETING utilizing “at MY earliest convenience”
Rule: NOT Acceptable…BAD
Let’s say John decides to change his voicemail GREETING. And the voicemail message he just heard me leave was stuck in his head. He figures he can just modify the phrase “at YOUR earliest convenience,” and change it ever so slightly to: “at MY earliest convenience.”
It is very acceptable for me to leave a voicemail MESSAGE for John asking him: “Hey John, please return my call at YOUR earliest convenience.”
However, it’s NOT ok for John to modify that phrase (most often in a voicemail GREETING) to “at MY earliest convenience.”
Here’s where the problems begin…
John proceeds to record this voicemail GREETING:
“Hello, you have reached John. I am unavailable to take your call. Please leave a message and I will get back to you at MY earliest convenience.”
WRONG!!! (Loud game-show buzzers should be going off in the background).
WRONG, WRONG, double WRONG!
John, buddy, you can’t do that!
By recording a greeting on voicemail that uses “at MY earliest convenience” John has unknowingly thumbed his nose at all of his callers that heard his recorded greeting.
Look at it closely. If you use the phrase “at MY earliest convenience,” on your voicemail GREETING, you are telling your callers that you will call them back “at MY earliest CONVENIENCE.” That means you’ve said to them in effect…
“I’ll call you back when it’s CONVENIENT for ME.”
“When I’m good and ready.”
“Whenever I feel like it.”
John may as well have recorded this voicemail GREETING:
“Hello, you have reached John. I am unavailable to take your call. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you whenever I feel like it…whenever it works for me…whenever it’s convenient for me. You know…at MY earliest CONVENIENCE.”

John, say it isn’t so! We thought you were such a good guy!
John would do better to keep it simple with regard to recorded voicemail greetings. He would do just fine with this very appropriate voicemail GREETING:
“Hello, you have reached John. I am unavailable to take your call, but your call is very important to me. Please leave a message and I will get back with you as soon as possible.”

http://www.recruitingblogs.com/profiles/blogs/at-your-earliest-convenience

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #72)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:28 PM

onenote (40,036 posts)

94. How do you feel about "I will call you back at my earliest opportunity."

While I understand that "earliest opportunity" and "earliest convenience" are not exactly the same, I suspect that most people who use the latter intend it to be no different than the former and that most people don't really get that bent out of shape about the use of one over the other.

Reply to this post

Response to onenote (Reply #94)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:43 PM

Snake Alchemist (3,318 posts)

99. Are you trying to say you're some sort of opportunist?

Reply to this post

Response to onenote (Reply #94)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:48 PM

Quantess (27,630 posts)

101. opportunity means the same as crisis in Chinese.

No way. "Opportunity" is a sure fire word to piss everyone off.

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 06:59 PM

moriah (8,311 posts)

64. Maybe you should have capitalized "earliest" too.

In other words, "As soon as I have time to return your call".

My voicemail is my cell, so the only thing that actually has my voice recorded is where I spoke my name.

But a Google of the phrase shows you are far from the only person to be highly annoyed by this turn of phrase.

Reply to this post

Response to moriah (Reply #64)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:18 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

83. Yep

Here's a segment of an article by a job recruiter precisely on that.

Leaving a Voicemail GREETING utilizing “at MY earliest convenience”
Rule: NOT Acceptable…BAD
Let’s say John decides to change his voicemail GREETING. And the voicemail message he just heard me leave was stuck in his head. He figures he can just modify the phrase “at YOUR earliest convenience,” and change it ever so slightly to: “at MY earliest convenience.”
It is very acceptable for me to leave a voicemail MESSAGE for John asking him: “Hey John, please return my call at YOUR earliest convenience.”
However, it’s NOT ok for John to modify that phrase (most often in a voicemail GREETING) to “at MY earliest convenience.”
Here’s where the problems begin…
John proceeds to record this voicemail GREETING:
“Hello, you have reached John. I am unavailable to take your call. Please leave a message and I will get back to you at MY earliest convenience.”
WRONG!!! (Loud game-show buzzers should be going off in the background).
WRONG, WRONG, double WRONG!
John, buddy, you can’t do that!
By recording a greeting on voicemail that uses “at MY earliest convenience” John has unknowingly thumbed his nose at all of his callers that heard his recorded greeting.
Look at it closely. If you use the phrase “at MY earliest convenience,” on your voicemail GREETING, you are telling your callers that you will call them back “at MY earliest CONVENIENCE.” That means you’ve said to them in effect…
“I’ll call you back when it’s CONVENIENT for ME.”
“When I’m good and ready.”
“Whenever I feel like it.”
John may as well have recorded this voicemail GREETING:
“Hello, you have reached John. I am unavailable to take your call. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you whenever I feel like it…whenever it works for me…whenever it’s convenient for me. You know…at MY earliest CONVENIENCE.”

John, say it isn’t so! We thought you were such a good guy!
John would do better to keep it simple with regard to recorded voicemail greetings. He would do just fine with this very appropriate voicemail GREETING:
“Hello, you have reached John. I am unavailable to take your call, but your call is very important to me. Please leave a message and I will get back with you as soon as possible.” http://www.recruitingblogs.com/profiles/blogs/at-your-earliest-convenience

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:00 PM

Dreamer Tatum (10,925 posts)

67. So, drop everything and call you back? nt

Reply to this post

Response to Dreamer Tatum (Reply #67)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:12 PM

redqueen (112,669 posts)

78. It's business... so... I guess you're supposed to lie?

Or... ignore the person standing at your desk and call them back right away?

Yeah, that's professional!

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:16 PM

barbtries (27,843 posts)

81. i no longer have voicemail on my land line.

i love never having to fetch messages. years ago however i recorded a message like so: i'm not answering the phone right now. however, i am listening, so go ahead and leave a message and if i feel like it, i'll pick up, otherwise i'll get back to you when i'm in the mood.

it was more or less a joke and at the time i think most of my friends were also screening their calls.

at any rate, use of the word convenience has been well acquitted in this thread so i won't bother. seems like a very small thing to expend frustration over.

Reply to this post

Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:18 PM

niyad (101,462 posts)

84. how in the world do you conceive of "I will return your call at my convenience" is rude?

seriously--when else do you expect your call to be returned? at YOUR convenience? it isn't YOUR phone, YOUR time, YOUR appointments, it is THEIR time, and they are the best judges of what is to be done with THEIR time.

some people clearly have way too much time on their hands.

Reply to this post

Response to niyad (Reply #84)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:20 PM

Sarah Ibarruri (21,043 posts)

85. Read how these phrases ended up confused by the less aware:

Here's a segment of an article by a job recruiter precisely on that.

Leaving a Voicemail GREETING utilizing “at MY earliest convenience”
Rule: NOT Acceptable…BAD
Let’s say John decides to change his voicemail GREETING. And the voicemail message he just heard me leave was stuck in his head. He figures he can just modify the phrase “at YOUR earliest convenience,” and change it ever so slightly to: “at MY earliest convenience.”
It is very acceptable for me to leave a voicemail MESSAGE for John asking him: “Hey John, please return my call at YOUR earliest convenience.”
However, it’s NOT ok for John to modify that phrase (most often in a voicemail GREETING) to “at MY earliest convenience.”
Here’s where the problems begin…
John proceeds to record this voicemail GREETING:
“Hello, you have reached John. I am unavailable to take your call. Please leave a message and I will get back to you at MY earliest convenience.”
WRONG!!! (Loud game-show buzzers should be going off in the background).
WRONG, WRONG, double WRONG!
John, buddy, you can’t do that!
By recording a greeting on voicemail that uses “at MY earliest convenience” John has unknowingly thumbed his nose at all of his callers that heard his recorded greeting.
Look at it closely. If you use the phrase “at MY earliest convenience,” on your voicemail GREETING, you are telling your callers that you will call them back “at MY earliest CONVENIENCE.” That means you’ve said to them in effect…
“I’ll call you back when it’s CONVENIENT for ME.”
“When I’m good and ready.”
“Whenever I feel like it.”
John may as well have recorded this voicemail GREETING:
“Hello, you have reached John. I am unavailable to take your call. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you whenever I feel like it…whenever it works for me…whenever it’s convenient for me. You know…at MY earliest CONVENIENCE.”

John, say it isn’t so! We thought you were such a good guy!
John would do better to keep it simple with regard to recorded voicemail greetings. He would do just fine with this very appropriate voicemail GREETING:
“Hello, you have reached John. I am unavailable to take your call, but your call is very important to me. Please leave a message and I will get back with you as soon as possible.” http://www.recruitingblogs.com/profiles/blogs/at-your-earliest-convenience

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #85)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:32 PM

Snake Alchemist (3,318 posts)

96. And why should I trust recruitingblogs.com again?

This is an odd thread.

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Response to Snake Alchemist (Reply #96)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:46 PM

Quantess (27,630 posts)

100. You mean, this is a ridiculous thread?

Yeah.

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Response to Snake Alchemist (Reply #96)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:23 PM

oldhippie (3,249 posts)

110. But it's a fun thread ......

.... something we need more of, if you ask me.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Reply #85)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:03 PM

niyad (101,462 posts)

104. the veiled insult was cute. and I repeat, some people have wayyyyyy too much time on their hands.

by the way, the primary definition of the word illiterate is the inability to READ or WRITE a given language.

manners and usage are another thing entirely.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:22 PM

Snake Alchemist (3,318 posts)

87. "My wife is having a baby and we're in the delivery, but I knew you wanted a call back" nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:24 PM

Snake Alchemist (3,318 posts)

89. Maybe it's an age thing? How old are you? nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:24 PM

Snake Alchemist (3,318 posts)

91. Mine just says: Holla!!! nt

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:43 PM

ecstatic (31,218 posts)

98. Mine says just that

Sorry. I respond when I feel like responding, not when you (the caller) wants me to.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 07:49 PM

TreasonousBastard (42,428 posts)

102. I don't care what you job recruiter says...

"At my earliest convenience" is just another way of saying "as soon as I can". I think it's a little snooty, but it seems to be a preferred default message on answering machines and voicemail.

I can't very well call at YOUR earliest convenience, can I? How would I know? Besides, you called me so unless you're in danger of death, or are warning me of dangers of death, or, (better yet) giving me money, why would I be in any particular rush to call you back to solve your problem? Complaining about my message offering to return your call at all, probably at my great inconvenience and possible expense and which I most likely didn't want anyway could be considered rude.

I've changed most of my default messages to the very simple "You know what to do at the beep." which quite a few people seem to think is rude enough.

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Response to TreasonousBastard (Reply #102)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:05 PM

niyad (101,462 posts)

106. my favourite message is, "you have reached the psychic research network. we know who you are, and

why you called, so, at the beep, please hang up"

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:19 PM

oldhippie (3,249 posts)

109. I've recently made my recording more polite .....

My home phone and my work phone used to be:

"You have reached xxx-xxxx. Why?"

I don't have a work phone anymore since I retired, but I did clean up the home phone message a little:

"You have reached xxx-xxxx. Please leave a message at the beep."

I said, "please."

I would never imply that I would call back, because I might not, and that would be inaccurate, impolite, and dishonest.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:29 PM

pa28 (6,145 posts)

111. Sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it.

Could that be the case here?

When I leave a voicemail I don't want to leave the recipient with a sense of obligation to respond immediately. That would be rude on my part because I was the caller after all.

I've heard the message you described and it's always come off as boilerplate and a reasonable bargain. If the person recording it came off with a certain attitude that might be another story.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:39 PM

Missy Vixen (16,207 posts)

114. I have that message on my cell phone VM

I was unaware that it's rude until today. I'm not sure what I'll replace it with. There are less than 20 people in the world who even know my cell phone number. They already know it's best to call me on our phone in the house, due to the fact the cell gets lost at the bottom of my handbag, and it's typically used for emergencies only.

If you think that's rude, I hope you don't call someone else I know's home phone. Her message starts off with the usual, "We can't come to the phone right now, please leave a message," and segues into, "And if you don't know what number you're calling, you should know your call is unwelcome. Please hang up and don't call here again."

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:48 PM

REP (21,691 posts)

115. Mine says "This is REP. This hasn't been Jon Bumblefuck's number for 10 years. If you want him,

Dial another number. If you want me, leave a message."

"At my earliest convenience" is just a phrase some people thought sounded refined and edumacated, but didn't really understand what it means. There's a lot of that about.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 08:49 PM

MineralMan (145,255 posts)

116. My voicemail says, "We'll call you back as soon as we can."

It's the same thing. You're making too much of what is a perfectly polite message. Of course the person will call you back when it's convenient to do so.

90% of my calls are bullshit. I do call everyone back, but most of the time for no good reason. Usually the caller wants some work for free from me or my wife, or is trying to sell us something. If a friend calls, we call right back. If it's a call relating to actual paid work, we also call back right away, and leave a voice mail on the caller's phone. Eventually, we exchange emails and get our business done, which is how the conversation should have begun. Others get t wait while we take care of real business.

If you need a call back urgently, say so in your message. If you're known to the person, that person will call you back as soon as he or she can. People are away from their phone sometimes. The funny thing is that they'll probably get your voicemail when they return the call. Send 'em an email.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 09:03 PM

Throd (7,208 posts)

117. You seem unhappy.

Everyone calls everyone else back at their earliest convenience.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 09:17 PM

eridani (51,907 posts)

118. Voice Mail Villanelle

by Dan Skwire

We're grateful that you called today
And sorry that we're occupied.
We will be with you right away.

Press one if you would like to stay,
Press two if you cannot decide.
We're grateful that you called today.

Press three to end this brief delay,
Press four if you believe we've lied.
We will be with you right away.

Press five to hear some music play,
Press six to speak with someone snide.
We're grateful that you called today.

Press seven if your hair's turned gray,
Press eight if you've already died.
We will be with you right away.

Press nine to hear recordings say
That service is our greatest pride.
We're grateful that you called today.
We will be with you right away.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 09:17 PM

Robb (39,665 posts)

119. DU has its own Andy Rooney!

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 10:32 PM

Zorra (27,670 posts)

122. No, never ran into one of those, but I'm looking forward to it.

I'll compose an interesting reply for the occasion.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 10:34 PM

ZombieHorde (29,047 posts)

123. Mine says: "Fuck you, you fucking fuck!"

Just kidding, I have no idea what my answering machine says.

Pet peeves are funny. I have a few pet peeves too.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 10:41 PM

treestar (81,515 posts)

124. I don't do that but get

messages from people who demand that I call them as soon as I get their message. And a couple of people who leave really long messages. Use email if you're long winded - it saves a lot of time. People feeling entitled to waste my time are not appreciated.

Another thing I loathe is people who leave a second or third message without allowing a reasonable time to get back to them.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 11:02 PM

WillowTree (5,325 posts)

125. Absolutely amazing the trivialities that some people will get all exercised about!!

There really are much worse things in this world than someone not wording their effin' VOICEMAIL GREETING to your specifications.

Take a breath.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 11:12 PM

Major Nikon (36,340 posts)

126. Mine came with a message already on it

I haven't felt the need to change it.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 11:21 PM

randome (34,845 posts)

127. Someone needs to buy you a cell phone.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 11:42 PM

lonestarnot (77,097 posts)

128. Guess you wouldn't like mine either then. "Leave a fucking message if you must."

Snort.

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Response to Sarah Ibarruri (Original post)

Mon Sep 9, 2019, 09:08 PM

Nauvoo (1 post)

129. It's rude. No doubt.

It is a self-absorbed attempt at being polite by people who probably are unaware they're being rude. Telling people that calling them back when essentially they have nothing better to do, is probably exactly what they mean to say. They just don't think there's anything wrong with saying that. Being polite is fine as long as they don't have to be inconvenienced. But listen to them howl when everyone else doesn't drop everything they're doing so that these precious snowflakes don't have to wait for anything they want.