In the 90s, did you "check your messages" on public phones?
In the 90s, instead of a physical answering machine, your phone provider could take messages, store it in your account, and it was accessible by calling their number, putting in your phone number and password.
I've seen this on Seinfeld used as a joke for a perfect girl Jerry dates but she has no messages (she's later called a loser by Kramer.)
Our household had it but my parents never checked their messages away from home.
What about you?