When I lived alone I left my own message when I did have an answering machine, but it didn't say my name. I think people often assume that if a message is the generic one that you've never set up your voicemail. At least, that's what I've come to experience. I'll leave a message on a voicemail with a generic message and then ask if they message was got, the person will almost always say "oh I never use that..., I've never set it up..." things along that line. And another thing I've noticed is that women often will only put their first initial in the phone book with their last name, but men most always put their full names, so it seems obvious that the number is a woman's number. Anyhow. I'm completely paranoid and do not answer the phone unless I know exactly who it is. I don't have voicemail because I don't want people leaving messages for me then having expectations that I will return the call.