The humble voice note has become a dominant, and divisive, force in British communication. A new poll reveals that the average Briton now sends a staggering 58 hours' worth of voice notes per year, yet a significant majority of those on the receiving end report growing tired of the trend.
The Rise of the Audio Message
Distinct from the often-dreaded voicemail, a voice note is a deliberate audio recording sent in place of a typed text. Its popularity has soared, particularly among younger demographics. A survey conducted earlier this year for Sky Mobile found that 73% of people enjoy recording them. However, this enthusiasm is not universally shared by listeners. The latest research, commissioned by Heineken, indicates that 62% of recipients admit to suffering from 'voice note fatigue'.
The Etiquette of Audio
A key complaint centres on length and content. The poll found people typically send six voice notes daily, each averaging 95 seconds. Alarmingly, one in twenty respondents reported receiving a monologue exceeding ten minutes. This lack of conciseness has prompted guidance from the authorities on British manners, Debrett's. The etiquette experts advise that voice notes should be kept under two minutes. "Think about what you're going to say before you press 'record' and stick to your subject," they recommend.
A Campaign for Conversation
The poll was part of a Heineken campaign encouraging more face-to-face interaction over digital audio messages. The logic is clear: real-world meetings are conducive to sharing a beer. The phenomenon has also sparked debate about social habits, with some critics labelling lengthy voice notes a symptom of narcissism and a preference for controlled, one-sided communication over spontaneous dialogue. The core sentiment for many senders seems to be: "I'm thinking of you – I just don't want to speak to you." As voice notes continue their inexorable rise, establishing a new etiquette of audio communication appears to be the next challenge.
