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- Gen Z doesn’t want to say ‘hello’ when answering the phone. I’m concerned. (businessinsider.com)
Hello? Is Anyone There? Gen Z’s Phone Etiquette is Puzzling Some Callers
Is Gen Z ditching “hello”? Apparently, some young people aren’t saying “hello” when they answer the phone, leaving callers – particularly those of us over 28 – a bit bewildered.
They seem to expect the caller to initiate the conversation. This surprising generational divide in phone etiquette recently went viral on social media, sparking a debate.
A recruiter tweeted her observation that many Gen Z individuals wait for her to speak first, even when she’s calling them at a pre-arranged time. The responses to her tweet confirmed this trend, with many young people agreeing that the caller should be the one to offer the initial greeting.
Two main reasons emerged for this silent treatment. The first is spam.
In an era of relentless robocalls and telemarketers, many feel that staying silent helps screen for real humans, as some automated systems are triggered by a “hello.” It’s hard to argue with a strategy aimed at dodging those annoying calls, but is there a better way?
(One tip: try answering with “This is [your name]” instead of “hello.” It might just short-circuit the robocaller.)
Another, more serious concern revolves around voice cloning. Some worry that scammers might record a spoken “hello” to mimic a voice for nefarious purposes.
While data on this practice is scarce, the fear is real. A cybersecurity expert suggests using a neutral greeting like “Who is this?”
to minimize the risk. This might be safer, but some might find it a tad abrupt.
Beyond spam concerns, there’s a broader generational shift in etiquette. Some young people simply believe the caller should initiate the conversation.
For those of us raised on traditional phone etiquette, this can feel jarring. Is this a sign of societal decline or just evolving norms?
While saying “hello” seems like basic courtesy, it’s worth remembering that phone etiquette itself is a relatively recent invention. The telephone, and even the word “hello” as a phone greeting, haven’t been around that long.
Think back to landlines and answering machines. Many of us grew up reciting family names and rote greetings.
Phone usage has changed drastically, even in recent decades. We rarely use answering machines, voicemail is often ignored, and we meticulously schedule even short calls.
We’ve adapted to new technologies and created new customs.
So, while the silent treatment might be surprising, it’s perhaps not cause for panic. Just as technology evolves, so does etiquette. Maybe it’s time to rethink the rules of the phone game.
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- Gen Z doesn’t want to say ‘hello’ when answering the phone. I’m concerned. (businessinsider.com)