Why do all answering machines ...

[Hogarth]

... tell the caller to leave a message "after the beep?" Why not "after the gunshot" or "explosion" or "belch?" Wouldn't it be nice to be allowed a selection of tones?

What would you like to see offered in such a selection?

[demnan]

1. In my household

a hearty meow would be appropriate.

[Champion Jack]

2. After a hearty meal of Mexican food last night

I am reminded of quite another sound.

[grannylib]

3. A little handbell trill would be nice, 'specially at this time of year...

[Hogarth]

4. Or a sneeze.

n/t

[Bertha Venation]

5. hmmm....

my sister's recording: "we can't come to the phone right now -- you know what to do"

my recording: "please leave a message -- unless you're a telemarketer. If you're a telemarketer please don't ever call back" (yeah, like that works)

no "wait for the beep" words, but there is that beep

I would like to hear the first three notes of Copeland's "Fanfare for the Common Man."

[Rainbowreflect]

7. My message use to say.

If you are a sales person, we are unemployed and can't afford to buy. If you are collecting for charity, we gave at the office. Everyone else leave a message.

[BiggJawn]

6. "Please wait for the fart, and after you're done laughing..."

"SPLOOOOCH!"
"Oh....I'll be RIGHT back!"

[sendero]

8. A beep was probably first used...

... because it is so easy to create electrically. Newer machines are essentially small lo-fi samplers, so it would be possible to 'record' your own beep noise. Guess there isn't a huge consumer demand :)

[TreasonousBastard]

9. Perish the thought...

that when leaving a message for a friend or business associate I would have to wait for farts, Celine Dion, dogs barking, Monty Python routines, or any of the millions of other possibilities.

[ProfessorGAC]

10. I'm With You!

Here's what my outgoing message says: "Hi. Leave a message at the beep." That's it.

That's what i expect to here when a machine picks up when i'm calling, too! Nothing cutesy. Just simple, fast. Beep.
The Professor

[BiggJawn]

11. "This is 555-1234. You know The Drill. BEEP!"

That's the bestest kind, isn't it?
:-)

[ProfessorGAC]

12. Indeed, Jawn!

The Professor

[FloridaJudy]

13. The sound of shrieking violins..

After my message.

"Bates' Motel: Norman isn't here. This is his mother. Leave a message. I'll be in the shower..."