After numerous years of Ms. Manners and cotillion classes, I am now the queen of ettiquite. I will post tips as I see fit. They will mostly be posted in my news first, however. Enjoy!
 

PROPER ANSWERING MACHINE ETIQUITTE:
1) GREETING Very important. Make sure it's appropriete in case little ones or 'rents are listening.
2) NAME. Say it LOUD say it CLEARLY. If you do not, I will not respond. "Hi it's ME' is my fav. answering machine message. It's Me? Really? C'mon folks....
3) NUMBER. ALWAYS LEAVE A NUMBER. Even if the answering maching is possed or whatever, leave a number. It's OK if you just kinda say it at the end, but say it slowly and twice, incase the person on the phone didn't have a paper or pen with them. NOTE:This rule need not apply if you talk to this person every day of your life. However, if you have talked to them 10 times or less, and especially if you're calling from a different number, leave the number...
4)State your PURPOSE. No matter how insignificant, say why you called. Just call to chat? Say "Just called to chat'. Call to get a number? Want to know if someone was coming over? SAY IT. People really don't like to be suprised getting a message from you on their cell phone saying to call them back, and once you're on the highway calling them and having them saying "oh, so you remembered that film and the clothes for tonight, right?"
5) Tell them a TIME SLOT. 'Call me when you have a minute.' 'I'l talk to you later.' 'We NEED TO TALK'
'I'll be home from noon to 6. I have a game at 8 so I'll talk to your later if you can't make it then'. I can't tell you how much I love calling people over and over, having no clue why they don't pick up the phone.

Perfect answering machine message: Hello Sitika, this is Cheryl Smith. Call me at 555-8920. I just wanted to know if you wanted to do something this weekend. I should be home all weekend, so give me a call. Again, my number is 555-8920. See ya!
The answering machine messages I get: Hey, it's me, call me back.
Sheesh.....