A friend of mine had the typical - you have reached - we're not home, etc., but what made it hillarious was that he had his wife press the record button and he yelled at the machine from clear across a large livingroom - 30 feet, at least. He was clearly yelling for the message, but it wasn't really loud when you listened to it.

I got so as I'd leave a message be yelling, while holding the phone behind my back.