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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
Original poster
GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 22:15

SkytreeMadeOfClay · 18/09/2024 22:03

A thread about why a lot of European countries cba with the wonderful British folk. Amazing

I think your post is a bit harsh. My mum isn’t actually British and she speaks three languages (unfortunately not Portuguese).

It’s a bit rude to make the assumption you’re making, just because she has asked for the option to watch an English news channel. It sounds like you’re saying she is someone who expects other countries and cultures to lay out the red carpet for her when she visits and yet to give nothing in return. She is very respectful and kind when she visits other countries and is very far from what you are suggesting.

My DH, DS and I all speak Portuguese fluently and have used it all the time this holiday, and my DM has also made an effort to use the Portuguese words she knows.

OP posts:
HaveYouSeenRain · 18/09/2024 22:10

If you are that inflexible and need to have certain programs, you need to bring an ipad with vpn and watch iplayer. My DMIL was very focused on watching the same tv programs every day religiously and we went abroad together and she never once mentioned them or complained (and she was a big complainer). I am sure your DM can cope a few days without the news or give her your phone or ipad. Leave the poor host alone tonight.

Frozenberries · 18/09/2024 22:06

I think your mums being a bit unreasonable to want English news channels in Portugal if I’m being honest OP. I would leave it. I’m sure she’ll be ok without the news for a week

SkytreeMadeOfClay · 18/09/2024 22:03

A thread about why a lot of European countries cba with the wonderful British folk. Amazing

WiddlinDiddlin · 18/09/2024 22:02

I suspect it is not that the remote doesn't work, its that the service it used to switch on, on the TV, no longer exists. I've a friend in Portugal who says the same as a PP, they no longer get those channels and have to watch via streaming.

It may also be that the remote is for some bit of equipment that is no longer there, might not be the AirBnB host who actually set up the tech so they may not realise this.

Sorenlorrenson · 18/09/2024 21:57

GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 21:54

Yes, exactly. I’m saying the smell of drying laundry is pretty self-explanatory. You know that damp, wet smell you get if you dry laundry indoors?

Show quote history

No, sorry I don't. Mine smells of washing detergent and fabric softener, quite a nice smell.

Original poster
GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 21:54

Sorenlorrenson · 18/09/2024 21:52

No not really self explanatory. Are you saying the host of the Airbnb had wet washing hung around your apartment, how very strange.

Show quote history

Yes, exactly. I’m saying the smell of drying laundry is pretty self-explanatory. You know that damp, wet smell you get if you dry laundry indoors?

OP posts:
Original poster
GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 21:53

alpacachino · 18/09/2024 21:52

I'd get over the TV I think your mum is just picking. She's probably the sort to find fault in everything

That’s a fair point. That’s not very nice to say about my mum though. She has moments when she can be a bit frustrating (like we all do) but she’s still my mum!

OP posts:
Sorenlorrenson · 18/09/2024 21:52

GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 21:49

It’s a damp, wet smell and it was coming from laundry that was drying in the Airbnb that we’re staying in. I think it’s self-explanatory, to be fair. It was a really unpleasant smell that stayed around the apartment for a while, and I think that added to my DM’s frustration about the apartment.

Show quote history

No not really self explanatory. Are you saying the host of the Airbnb had wet washing hung around your apartment, how very strange.

alpacachino · 18/09/2024 21:52

I'd get over the TV I think your mum is just picking. She's probably the sort to find fault in everything

Original poster
GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 21:49

Sorenlorrenson · 18/09/2024 21:42

What is the smell of drying laundry?
Where was the smell coming from?
I'm so confused.

It’s a damp, wet smell and it was coming from laundry that was drying in the Airbnb that we’re staying in. I think it’s self-explanatory, to be fair. It was a really unpleasant smell that stayed around the apartment for a while, and I think that added to my DM’s frustration about the apartment.

OP posts:
Sorenlorrenson · 18/09/2024 21:42

What is the smell of drying laundry?
Where was the smell coming from?
I'm so confused.

Original poster
GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 21:35

InformEducateEntertain · 18/09/2024 20:57

I am completely baffled as to why you expect English language TV in a non English speaking country. YABU.

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.

OP posts:
InformEducateEntertain · 18/09/2024 20:57

I am completely baffled as to why you expect English language TV in a non English speaking country. YABU.

Soberfutures · 18/09/2024 20:52

May not help but anytime we have been abroad and the kids wanted English TV we have found the way is to go into the settings and change the audio output. It's not complicated just click on settings usually like a wheel cog icon. Then look for audio/language usually a speaker icon. Then usually an option to have audio in English. Doesn't work if there is no alternative audio available bur we have found on Disney and pop and the bews channels it's avaliable

NeverEnoughPants · 18/09/2024 20:48

I have no idea how I would go about getting access to Portugese or other language channels in the UK - I think it's fairly unreasonable to expect English language channels abroad.

There will be buttons on the TV that should work if the remote doesn't. I'm sure your mother can remember back to when remotes weren't a thing. I'm sure she can manage for a few days.

WhatYouEgg · 18/09/2024 20:45

We had issues with no remote on holiday this year, but my bf downloaded a universal remote app onto his phone and that worked.

Also, we did a lot of casting from our phones to the TV. Does the one in your Airbnb have capacity to cast to it?

Skigal86 · 18/09/2024 20:43

We have a property in Portugal and I know a lot of properties near us have lost the English language channels they had because one of the satellites has now been turned off. It’s too much hassle for us so we just use streaming services.

splatmouse · 18/09/2024 20:43

reallifeboogie · 18/09/2024 20:42

You're on holiday. In a foreign country. Why do you need English tv?

Need to find out what Gail Platt is up to now!

LivGo · 18/09/2024 20:42

About the apartment, I can understand your frustrations. I lived in Portugal for a while, and the quality and maintenance of apartments really isn't great. 'Newly renovated' seems to be defined as anything post-2004.

About the other stuff, I think YABU. I would never assume that self catering accommodation would have English language channels. Also, I wouldn't really want to spend time watching television. If I'm on holiday and am staying in for the night, I like to socialise, play board games, do something different to my day-to-day life.

reallifeboogie · 18/09/2024 20:42

You're on holiday. In a foreign country. Why do you need English tv?

Fuuf · 18/09/2024 20:42

This reply has been deleted

This is the work of a previously banned poster.

Original poster
GoldOnyx · 18/09/2024 20:40

To posters asking about batteries, I bought batteries and put them in the remote and it still didn’t work.

OP posts:
xyz111 · 18/09/2024 20:40

I don't think an airb&b should have to provide tv channels in the language of all staying guests.

tinymoon · 18/09/2024 20:38

If it’s a standard cable subscription I’d be surprised if it has English channels? I might be wrong. It seems odd to me to expect to watch English TV on holiday abroad.