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Original poster

Should I buy a big TV that I don't want?

99 replies

TheYearOfSmallThings · 02/09/2023 13:54

We have a 32" TV, and every child who has come for a playdate this summer (and that feels like hundreds) has said "WHY do you have such a tiny TV?!" often followed by "MY TV is SIX times bigger than this." My son has been to their homes and is now questioning whether we too should get a great big massive humongous TV, and ideally hang it on the wall, maybe over the fireplace instead of a mirror.

I fucking hate huge TVs. I hate them, and I would prefer not to have one. But...I don't want my son to be one The Weirdo With The Small TV, and I could just not look at that corner of the sitting room (it is NOT going on the wall).

OP posts:
Perfect28 · 02/09/2023 13:55

It's your house, do what you want. I also hate TVs and there will be others out there who are the same.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 02/09/2023 13:55

Yanbu. Although I like them being on the wall out of the way.

Papillon23 · 02/09/2023 13:56

I gave in and bought a massive TV, primarily because mine was ancient and a friend was selling one for a bargain price having bought an even more enormous TV.

I took refuse to wall hang mine but I do love the big picture and picture quality etc.

LucifersPain · 02/09/2023 13:56

Get a Samsung Frame TV

caringcarer · 02/09/2023 13:57

Should you buy something you don't want. Of course not.

vodkaredbullgirl · 02/09/2023 13:59

Don't get one, your son will get over it.

SM4713 · 02/09/2023 14:02

If you don't want it, don't buy it! Your living room must be tiny though if you can actually see things on a 32' TV! I'd have to sit far too close and that would look far weirder than have a tiny TV.

Original poster
TheYearOfSmallThings · 02/09/2023 14:08

caringcarer · 02/09/2023 13:57

Should you buy something you don't want. Of course not.

It's easy to say that, but my (lovely) mother lived by that rule, and as a result I had 100% sensible non trashy clothes, no synthetics - I would have killed for a pink puffa jacket. I have a feeling I might be completing my transition into her.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheYearOfSmallThings · 02/09/2023 14:10

SM4713 · 02/09/2023 14:02

If you don't want it, don't buy it! Your living room must be tiny though if you can actually see things on a 32' TV! I'd have to sit far too close and that would look far weirder than have a tiny TV.

It is 17" by 14". To me my TV is correctly proportioned, but I often walk I to other people's sitting rooms (they are all the same size around here) and think "GAH! That TV is monstrous!"

OP posts:
CremeEggThief · 02/09/2023 14:10

Of course not. Why would you waste money on something you don't even want? 🤔

HerMammy · 02/09/2023 14:40

32 is very small, we have a 43 and I feel thats small. The picture quality is excellent on the large screens.

LardoBurrows · 02/09/2023 14:53

Don't buy a large tv just because of the comments of a few bratty children. Stand by your preference and choice. Your DS will survive.

ThunderclapCloud · 02/09/2023 14:55

When we got our 32" TV probably 11 years ago, I remember it seeming enormous! I got used to it and still love it now. It amuses me to know that it's considered tiny now.
I think I'd hate a much bigger tv. But suspect I'd get used to it. You probably will too if you go for one.
I agree @TheYearOfSmallThings they seem to take over the whole room.
(If I glance out of our lounge window at dusk I can clearly see what my neighbours over the road are watching as their enormous telly is on the facing wall. I don't look deliberately but it feels like I'm intruding!)

hdbs17 · 02/09/2023 14:56

Personally, I think small TVs compliment a room better and can't stand it when a living rooms main focus is the TV.

We have a 50" on the wall but I hate it - I'd much rather a small tv on a stand in the corner and have a nice fireplace put in as a focal point instead.

I have friends and family who have 65"-80" TVs and honestly, it just looks stupid and hurts your eyes to look at.

ThunderclapCloud · 02/09/2023 14:58

Ps i too am morphing into my mother @TheYearOfSmallThings If I'm not careful I'll find ive bought one of those boxes to put it in so you don't know there's a tv in it when the doors are closed.
I may also deem it decadent to watch daytime tv instead of listening to the radio!

ItsMyUkelele · 02/09/2023 14:58

I replaced mine with a bigger one (because I'm getting on a bit and couldn't see the smaller one properly). I thought it looked ridiculous to start with but very quickly got used to it.

Definitely agree with it not going on the wall - especially above the fireplace.

However, if you don't want one, don't buy one!! Nothing to do with your children's friends what you choose to spend your money on!

ShowOfHands · 02/09/2023 14:59

We have a 32" tv and I think it's too big! None of the DC's friends have ever said a word about it. I don't like enormous televisions at all and I won't be buying one.

Hbh17 · 02/09/2023 15:09

Of course you don't, OP. 32" is perfectly normal and anything bigger just overwhelms the room, and it's impossible to sit far enough away. Very large TVs are just horrible. More importantly, it's your house and your choice - sounds like your child needs nicer friends!

jeffgoldblum · 02/09/2023 15:10

I firmly believe that televisions are like cake , they can never be too big! 🤣

BackToOklahoma · 02/09/2023 15:17

We have lots of TVs, all big. And all on the walls. 😅 We like to watch films on a decent sized screen. Our rooms are quite large though.

Its your choice obviously but it’s nice to take your children’s wishes on board.

jeffgoldblum · 02/09/2023 15:19

Me too ! @BackToOklahoma , ideally I'd like a screen big enough I can pretend I'm at the cinema!

MargaretThursday · 02/09/2023 15:20

We used to set visiting children to find our TV. They had a lovely time poking all round the house and kept them amused for hours.

We didn't have one. When we told them, they never believed us.

Original poster
TheYearOfSmallThings · 02/09/2023 15:21

ThunderclapCloud · 02/09/2023 14:58

Ps i too am morphing into my mother @TheYearOfSmallThings If I'm not careful I'll find ive bought one of those boxes to put it in so you don't know there's a tv in it when the doors are closed.
I may also deem it decadent to watch daytime tv instead of listening to the radio!

My mother is the same about daytime television - she believes it is only for day drinkers with a trough full of cigarette buts and a tag under their track suit bottoms.

OP posts:
ThunderclapCloud · 02/09/2023 15:24

TheYearOfSmallThings · 02/09/2023 15:21

My mother is the same about daytime television - she believes it is only for day drinkers with a trough full of cigarette buts and a tag under their track suit bottoms.

Show quote history

I did a proper belly laugh at that! That's exactly what my mother seems to think 😂

YoungBritishPissArtist · 02/09/2023 15:25

Big televisions are very common <runs>