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Why are people so sanctimonious about people watching TV on holiday

39 replies

INeedAHolidayRest · Yesterday 22:14

Why is it wrong if, on my holiday, I want to watch TV?

I see it all the time- if some posts (here, Facebook, other SM) that they are disappointed that the TV doesn't work- then there are posts after posts saying 'you can watch TV at home' 'how can you watch TV in insert beautiful location

I am currently on a UK break and the TV doesn't work- the host has said there is loads to do elsewhere.

But it is my holiday, I don't see why people accept it is ok to lie on a Sunday lounger for a week, but don't think I should have my own escape.

I don't want to read, I just want to catch up on some series in peace and quiet, is that too much to ask?

OP posts:
Thecatspantaloons · Yesterday 23:04

I go away with friends and like my own room, so after all day swimming, lounging, cycling , sightseeing, eating, drinking and partying I love a bit of telly/music when I come back to a quiet room at the end of the night.
Judge away .

SomethingNewish · Yesterday 23:06

When my DS was young we always ended up going on holiday as soon as the Scottish schools finished because it was much cheaper. Unfortunately this also coincided with the Tour de France being on TV. And my son was a massive fan of the cycling. We always had to arrange our holiday activities in such a way so that he got to watch that. My H and I would sit by the pool or whatever or do whatever else we wanted. Then when the cycling was finished we got to do stuff and go places together as a family..
It was a compromise .

Missj25 · Yesterday 23:07

JaceLancs · Yesterday 22:59

I always download loads of tv onto iPad or phone for holidays, also take my kindle and some jigsaws and Lego
Currently in Turkey and have read 14 books so far, built all my Lego, done a few jigsaws and snoozed round the pool to iPlayer history programmes
I’ve also had lots of time to sight see, go on boat trips, eat and drink far too much etc etc

Jacelancs , you sound like the right one to go on holiday with , very organised, I’m afraid i’m quite the opposite 🙈.
Bet we’d get on great , especially after a few glasses of vino 😂

SlugJam · Yesterday 23:13

Doozycan · Yesterday 22:54

Jeepers what keeps you busy at home if no tv ?

3 kids (one disabled, needing a lot of care), a job that I often have to do in the evenings because there’s no wrap around care for my disabled child, chores, studying, reading, walking the dog, Pilates… I’ve never really watched TV.

Ohhhthedrama · Yesterday 23:13

@mondaytosunday- At home I don't have anyone to make me club sandwiches or mai tais or mojitos and bring them to me or a massive spa bath where I can also sit and watch trashy TV. If I was at home I'd always be thinking about what I 'should' be doing instead. I'm not into golf or watersports so my family get to go off and do things they love and I get to spend a day indulging myself and everyone's happy.

Theheatishot · Yesterday 23:14

We never watch tv on holiday. We are usually on the go all day, then in the evening maybe wandering round the town, having a drink, playing cards, chatting, reading. Not all those things, but one of them……. We tend to either stay in places with no tv at all, or get back too late to consider watching it. But I only tend to watch tv at home as a way to avoid doing chores………

INeedAHolidayRest · Yesterday 23:21

Theheatishot · Yesterday 23:14

We never watch tv on holiday. We are usually on the go all day, then in the evening maybe wandering round the town, having a drink, playing cards, chatting, reading. Not all those things, but one of them……. We tend to either stay in places with no tv at all, or get back too late to consider watching it. But I only tend to watch tv at home as a way to avoid doing chores………

But why does that make you a better person?

OP posts:
Theheatishot · Yesterday 23:27

Where did I say that?
I was just explaining how it’s not something I do.
You asked in your title why people were sanctimonious about it.
I was explaining it doesn’t happen for various reasons on our holidays. No sanctimony at all!
Maybe you should stop judging yourself for doing it and just enjoy doing what you enjoy doing!

BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · Yesterday 23:56

I'd think it a little odd if people just spent the entire day, every single day watching TV; but to us, part of a holiday is relaxing and downtime. Once you've enjoyed your day doing whatever enjoyable leisure pursuits, what on earth is wrong with wanting to wind down with some TV?

Where would these people draw the line? Do they consider it a waste of valuable holiday time sleeping at night - as you can do that at home anytime?!

It's by the by, but we were at a holiday cottage a couple of weeks ago watching the TV in the evening when we learned of Dolly Parton's death. I also recall being at a holiday cottage in Derbyshire in 2004, watching with horror all the footage of the devastating flood in Boscastle as it unfolded.

AbsintheMakesTheHeartGrowFonder · Today 01:08

I don’t watch TV much on holiday - maybe a bit in the late evenings if I’m in the UK, but I don’t watch Netflix or anything. But people shouldn’t be looking down on it if that’s what you enjoy doing to relax. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it.

I find it weird when people say ‘But you could watch TV at home’. I mean, yes, of course you could. But you never hear someone say “But you could read a book at home” or “You could go for a swim at home” or “You could have a pizza and a glass of wine at home” when people do those things on holiday, which suggests there’s a strong element of snobbery when people sneer at TV but not at other ways people choose to relax.

Also, I’m pretty sure people who watch television on holiday are also doing other things. I don’t think many people spend a lot of money on a holiday and just sit there in a darkened room 24/7 watching TV. Maybe some people like to relax with TV in the evenings, or maybe they sit and watch on their phone / tablet while they’re sitting out by a pool or on a balcony for an afternoon, or as a PP said, while their family are off doing other things for a day or two. But I really don’t think many people just sit there indoors for a week / fortnight doing nothing else.

Philmitchelle · Today 01:48

I like watching Abroad Telly. It's cultural immersion. Most recently in Greece I watched breakfast news (ten people shouting at each other about farming), a soap opera that mostly concentrated on filming inanimate objects and a quiz show where you had to guess letters to find words - I got pretty good at that old alphabet let me tell you.

DryadsRest · Today 01:56

If the accommodation is advertised as having a to then it should be fixed, doesn’t matter how much stuff there is to do

(also I love watching the to on holiday as at home have to think about all the boring stuff in the evening- stuff to get ready for work or kids the next day) can enjoy it properly on holiday especially after a busy day doing stuff!

cornflakecrunchie · Today 02:06

Because I'm old & tired!
I had a few days away (UK) & was exhausted by 9pm!

Bikenutz · Today 02:19

I’m not in the habit of watching TV at home as I’m an avid reader, and probably wouldn’t on a beach holiday, but on a more active holiday - bring it on!

After a long and tiring day of hiking, skiing or sightseeing, it’s nice to have a shower, dinner and then hole up with a box set or movie.

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