Dear Fran,

     I have become very upset by the misuse of voice mail not only by businesses but by friends and family. What is the acceptable length of time between leaving a message and expecting a resposnse? It seems that the norm now is that voice messages do not have to be returned, or if returned, can be done so several days to over a week later. This seems very rude and inconsiderate to me, especially if it involves a time sensitive event. Am I being old-fashioned or unrealistic. I do understand that there are times that a quick response is impossi ble, but when a person's modus operandi is to wait several days or to wait for a second or even third call to respond to message & then to offer no reason for such a delay, it seems at the very least poor manners and insensitive to other's needs.  Because this seems to be the attitude of so many in my age group(baby boomer) did I somehow miss the boat? Are voice messages mere suggestions that we might talk sometime in the future or are they, like in the days predating answering machines, a statement of a desire to connect with the person you called at the time you called.If they couldn't talk at that time, you would briefly tell you and arrange to call back later. Does voice mail have a protocol for this concern?

Signed: Ellen Keegan

Dear Ellen,

If your voice mail messages are as lengthy as your e-mails, I can understand why they are not answered.  Have you ever heard “less is more?”  By the time I finished your e-mail, I forgot what I was reading.  War and Peace was a faster read!  I have to go now.  I have several hundred-voice mail messages that are about to reach their 20-day dumping limit.

Fran Slanders