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AIBU?

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Airbnb and TV - AIBU?

86 replies

GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 20:14

DH, DMum, DS and I are on holiday in an Airbnb in Portugal.

We had a few problems with the shower and with a lingering smell of drying laundry, so messaged the host and she came today to try and sort these. She sorted the shower, which was good. The drying laundry smells have persisted for a while, which I think has pissed off my DMum, although they’re no longer there, which is good.

The other thing is we have a TV, which is good, but there aren’t many channels and they’re all in Portuguese. The remote I think we need to access the channels doesn’t work unfortunately.

When the host came today to sort the other stuff, we asked her if we could use the other remote and she said she’d drop off some batteries so we could use it.

The host didn’t drop off the batteriesI went out to get some, but the other remote still didn’t work unfortunately. I don’t want to annoy her, as I’m worried about getting a bad review, but would it be worth me messaging her again to ask if she can help firther with the remote?

We’re leaving on Sunday morning, so in a way it doesn’t seem worth it, but my DM quite likes watching TV before going to bed, which is fair enough, and would like some English language channels to watch if possible.

OP posts:
GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:55

FawnFrenchieMum · 18/09/2024 22:47

So what you’re actually asking is, is it unreasonable to be able to use the cable box if there is one there!

I guess that depends on whether it was advertised as having satellite TV. Even with this I wouldn’t think an English Channel was guaranteed.

Yes exactly. Apologies for not remembering about the cable box. It’s been a very busy day, and we don’t have a cable box or several remotes at home, so it slipped my mind.

OP posts:
GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:54

UserNameOfShame · 18/09/2024 22:44

I'm completely flummoxed as to why you didn't mention this, and gave only been referring to it as a second remote control.

We don’t have a second remote control or cable box at home normally, so I am not used to that at all, and I’ve been v busy all day with DS. Seems a tad strong to say you’re ’flummoxed’! My DH is much more techie than me and he’s been amazing with this, but is a bit stumped. Apologies for not remembering about the box.

OP posts:
MSLRT · 18/09/2024 22:51

GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:42

There is a cable box, which is what the second remote connects to. The host said this herself when we spoke with her.

I would then ask her to come and show you how it works. Definitely not unreasonable to do this.

FawnFrenchieMum · 18/09/2024 22:47

GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:42

There is a cable box, which is what the second remote connects to. The host said this herself when we spoke with her.

So what you’re actually asking is, is it unreasonable to be able to use the cable box if there is one there!

I guess that depends on whether it was advertised as having satellite TV. Even with this I wouldn’t think an English Channel was guaranteed.

UserNameOfShame · 18/09/2024 22:44

GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:42

There is a cable box, which is what the second remote connects to. The host said this herself when we spoke with her.

I'm completely flummoxed as to why you didn't mention this, and gave only been referring to it as a second remote control.

GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:42

MSLRT · 18/09/2024 22:39

Chances are the second one doesn’t work unless there is a cable/internet router box or satellite. You wouldn’t have two remotes for a tv. Probably an old one

There is a cable box, which is what the second remote connects to. The host said this herself when we spoke with her.

OP posts:
UserNameOfShame · 18/09/2024 22:41

FawnFrenchieMum · 18/09/2024 22:30

I’m confused about how a different remote will make channels appear on the TV.

I'd love to know the answer to this. Is it a Portuguese thing because here in the UK the remote controls the telly, not the channels (obviously unless it's a for eg Sky controller, but then that's controlling the sky box, not the actual telly)

MSLRT · 18/09/2024 22:39

GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:36

Yes, we can change the channels. We do have a working remote control, but there is a second remote control (with access to these other channels) that we can’t get to work yet.

Chances are the second one doesn’t work unless there is a cable/internet router box or satellite. You wouldn’t have two remotes for a tv. Probably an old one

HelloItsMeAgainHello · 18/09/2024 22:39

Op you can't get it to work as the service is no longer available. I've heard a lot about the English channels not being available in parts of Portugal anymore. What you want isn't possible so don't contact the owner

murasaki · 18/09/2024 22:37

Fair enough, bigger screen and all that.

GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:36

MSLRT · 18/09/2024 22:32

Are you able to change the channels at all? English channels aside, you should have a remote control that works.

Yes, we can change the channels. We do have a working remote control, but there is a second remote control (with access to these other channels) that we can’t get to work yet.

OP posts:
GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:36

murasaki · 18/09/2024 22:33

Couldn't she use your smart phone?

Of course! I’ve offered it to her several times and she has used it. She would just prefer to watch the news on TV.

OP posts:
GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:35

FawnFrenchieMum · 18/09/2024 22:29

But you clearly DO expect it or you wouldn’t have posted about it. Expecting it for your mother doesn’t make it any less expected.

I don’t expect it, no. I’ve asked in my OP if it’s reasonable or not for us to ask the host to help us with this second TV remote, as it does have English language channels on it.

OP posts:
murasaki · 18/09/2024 22:33

Couldn't she use your smart phone?

MSLRT · 18/09/2024 22:32

Are you able to change the channels at all? English channels aside, you should have a remote control that works.

Cosyblankets · 18/09/2024 22:32

Did the host not explain as others on here have that the thing was switched off?

suburberphobe · 18/09/2024 22:30

Fair enough your mum doesn't want a smart phone, hope she at least knows how to use a computer as more and more stuff can only be done online. High street bank branches disappearing etc.

Anyway, you should be getting on the case of the Airbnb host as to why something advertised is not available.

I have BBC and don't even live in UK!

FawnFrenchieMum · 18/09/2024 22:30

I’m confused about how a different remote will make channels appear on the TV.

FawnFrenchieMum · 18/09/2024 22:29

GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 21:35

I don’t expect it. I’m fluent in Portuguese and very happy with the channels on offer. My DM likes watching the news every day at home and just would like to watch the news in English on holiday too if possible. I know it might seem a little unusual to some posters on here, but I can understand why she wants to watch the news. Unfortunately she doesn’t use a smartphone so can’t watch the news on there.

Thanks to posters who suggested casting. I’ve tried this but unfortunately it didn’t work as the TV isn’t a smart TV.

But you clearly DO expect it or you wouldn’t have posted about it. Expecting it for your mother doesn’t make it any less expected.

AmeliaEarache · 18/09/2024 22:26

If the service has been switched off all the remotes in the world won’t help.

Bloom15 · 18/09/2024 22:26

Can someone else in your group not lend your mum their smartphone so she can watch BBC or Sky News?

GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:24

suburberphobe · 18/09/2024 22:22

My clothes drying don't have that "damp, wet smell" either.

Probably coming from the house. I've been to Portugal.

Why on earth does your mum think English language tv is standard in foreign countries?

Tell your mum to get a smart phone then she can download BBC apps etc. for when she's out of the country. It's also super handy for banking etc.
And don't tell me she's "too old". I'm almost 70 myself.

My mum doesn’t think English language TV is standard in foreign countries. It is available, however, on the second remote that comes with the TV and that doesn’t work. She doesn’t want a smartphone - I think that’s fair enough.

OP posts:
GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:23

MarvellousDay · 18/09/2024 22:21

I'm so confused. How exactly do you expect the host to get some English Channels

The English language channels are available on the remote I mentioned in my OP that doesn’t work.

OP posts:
suburberphobe · 18/09/2024 22:22

My clothes drying don't have that "damp, wet smell" either.

Probably coming from the house. I've been to Portugal.

Why on earth does your mum think English language tv is standard in foreign countries?

Tell your mum to get a smart phone then she can download BBC apps etc. for when she's out of the country. It's also super handy for banking etc.
And don't tell me she's "too old". I'm almost 70 myself.

MarvellousDay · 18/09/2024 22:21

I'm so confused. How exactly do you expect the host to get some English Channels