I have to call people for work to let them know when I'll arrive to provide the service. 3/4 of the time nobody answers, of those half either don't have vm setup or it is full and won't take an messages. The only people who do pick up are the elderly.

This is so sad and pathetic. Grow up, seek help, get medicated, touch grass.

Reading the comic and the comments it's definitely a cultural/generational thing since there seems to be an even split between those that think a phone call is for urgent business only and those that think a phone call is no big deal and perfectly normal.

It probably depends on whether someone grew up with texting or not. My family only just got smartphones this year and before that we didn't even have a phone plan with data or texting so from my perspective, calling someone up is perfectly normal. I have noticed that since getting a smartphone, I've been primarily communicating with text messages (which from what I understand is also a bit outdated).

This is why I call my parents weekly, so that phone calls from them are statistically less likely to be about dead grandparents. Still would freak-out when my same age friends call me, as the only time that has happened I learnt a good friend died of liver failure.