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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:
Original poster
TheYearOfSmallThings · 02/09/2023 15:27

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.

The thing is, they aren't bratty on general - they are just surprised as I would be if I went I to someone's house and all the furniture was one third of the size of normal furniture. They have never seen a TV that small before.

OP posts:
TheHappyCarrot · 02/09/2023 15:29

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.

A 32' tv wouldn't fit in anyone's living room. That's cinema screen size.

greyflannel · 02/09/2023 15:29

No. 32 is plenty! Alternatively get a projector and go large for film nights without blighting your room.

ThunderclapCloud · 02/09/2023 15:32

YoungBritishPissArtist · 02/09/2023 15:25

Big televisions are very common <runs>

Mum? Is that you?? 😂

Original poster
TheYearOfSmallThings · 02/09/2023 15:35

ThunderclapCloud · 02/09/2023 15:32

Mum? Is that you?? 😂

Show quote history

Well I know it's not my mum because she would never include "piss" in her username.

OP posts:
Tryingtokeepgoing · 02/09/2023 15:40

YoungBritishPissArtist · 02/09/2023 15:25

Big televisions are very common <runs>

Absolutely! Anyone with more TV on display than bookcase in a room is frightfully common, and hanging a TV on a wall is only acceptable in a Wetherspoons, where no respectable persons would be seen ;)

Rummikub · 02/09/2023 15:45

32” is enough. Especially if you’re happy with it.

I don’t like big TVs either.

MichaelAndEagle · 02/09/2023 15:49

My TV is too big, it was the one I took post separation thinking I'd get a more appropriate one. However it works and I've got used to it so it seems wasteful to replace.
It is definitely the focal point of the room and bigger than my bookcase, so....

tallsmallmum · 02/09/2023 15:58

ex husband was like you, I enjoyed upgrading and would even go bigger- tv that is lol

SquashPenguin · 02/09/2023 16:01

Depends on the size of your room. They look awful on the wall.

GarlicGrace · 02/09/2023 16:07

greyflannel · 02/09/2023 15:29

No. 32 is plenty! Alternatively get a projector and go large for film nights without blighting your room.

I'm quite keen on this - was looking into it the last time I thought I should get a TV (still haven't - yet). Little projectors are really good now, with the right inputs for TV and sound connectors, etc, and there's a huge choice of screens that you pull down from a cassette. Total cost = about the same as a medium-priced 40" TV.

A whole wall of TV! That'll shut the little buggers up 😆

Lehenaghmore · 02/09/2023 16:08

Mine is that size AND it lives in a cupboard. That was my compromise — I didn’t want a tv at all.

BCBird · 02/09/2023 16:12

Mine is smaller. SOS same old shit whatever the size. Absolutely not should yiu buy something uiu don't want. I find them hideous so woukd never buy one, although I appreciate that some people like them. Each to their own.

StarbucksSmarterSister · 02/09/2023 17:01

My tv is a grand 22"😂. I have noticed lately I need to sit closer as my eyesight is getting worse so I plan to get a new one but 32" would be the absolute max I'd consider.

No you shouldn't get a bigger one if you don't want it. Why are you letting the opinions of your son's classmates get to you, it's none of their business.

Floralnomad · 02/09/2023 17:05

Entirely your choice , we have large TVs but they don’t hang on walls as I can’t stand that .

cruffinsmuffin · 02/09/2023 17:07

Ours is bloody huge, but also a Samsung frame so it displays art when not on, and has a frame we had made for it (traditional gilt style) so looks really good when off rather than a huge black rectangle.

We've also got them everywhere including bedrooms 😂 my mum mentions it all the time! She also only as something similar in size to you OP and thinks more than 5 hours a week suggests a weak mind 😂

FussyPud · 02/09/2023 17:14

I’ve had a big tv and I didn’t like it. When the youngest smashed the screen (entirely an accident, knocked a box over when cruising) I was quite glad to have the opportunity to get something smaller.

I think telly sizes are really only important for people who enjoy using them, for films or gaming etc. I’m not overly bothered, as I am much more of a reader and a snoozer than a watcher, so a smaller and less high quality screen is no hardship to me.

If what you have fulfils the needs for your house, keep it. As and when it breaks you can always revisit the idea of another size.

LauraNorda · 02/09/2023 17:16

If you cave, all you will be doing is teaching your kid to 'keep up with the Jones'.

On the other hand, gullible people buying crap they don't need or even want is what is keeping my investments paying big dividends. So, go on, buy the biggest and most expensive TV you can. What else are credit cards for.

Gowlett · 02/09/2023 17:16

Absolutely HATE our huge TV.
The one we had was just fine…

off · 02/09/2023 17:24

Tryingtokeepgoing · 02/09/2023 15:40

Absolutely! Anyone with more TV on display than bookcase in a room is frightfully common, and hanging a TV on a wall is only acceptable in a Wetherspoons, where no respectable persons would be seen ;)

Show quote history

If your living-room bookcase is smaller than a 60" TV, I feel very sorry for your children SadGrin

Wallywobbles · 02/09/2023 18:03

We got rid of the TV. The only person that cared was granny!

Whataretalkingabout · 02/09/2023 20:20

My family always referred to it as 'the idiot box' and we were proud to have an outdated b&w one for many years. Still call it that.

LondonQueen · 02/09/2023 20:24

I love TV's being on the wall (only with the cords hidden away) but I don't care for a big TV, we only have one because DH likes to watch movies.

BarelyLiterate · 02/09/2023 20:35

I was sceptical about getting a big TV. To be completely honest, there was a bit of misplaced, outdated snobbery in my distaste for them. Then DP talked me into finally getting one (I think it’s a 55 inch, but I’m not sure) and it’s a game changer.
The technology had obviously advanced enormously since we got our old small one and the picture quality on the new one is incredible. Live sport looks amazing, as do nature shows. I admit I was wrong, so don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, OP.

PrincessPeaches123 · 02/09/2023 20:41

As someone already said. Have a look at the Samsung frame. It doesn't look like a tv it looks like a piece of art. We have genuinely had people mistake it for a picture. But if you don't want the be do t get one.