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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not understand why some people have the TV on all day long

89 replies

Autumnsunshinebaby · 18/08/2016 17:34

This is certainly not a dig, I am genuinely interested in why people do it. Perhaps I just have the attention span of a knat or rubbish channels, but I can never find anything to watch. Help me understand!

OP posts:
iluvshoes · 18/08/2016 17:51

Background noise. My son isnt here at the mo and the house is a bit quiet.

MrsMushrooms · 18/08/2016 17:51

I have mine on for background noise because I work from home and normally there would be noise in an office and the silence seems weird to me! It also soothes the dogs as they don't hear as many noises outside that they feel they need to investigate.

I always turn it off if people are over and when DC1 turns up (I'm expecting at the moment) I will have it on significantly less and never when playing

porridge90 · 18/08/2016 17:53

Its on all day here. On kid channels mostly, unless my husband is up and about (nights worker) then he chooses what he wants for a few hours whilst we have lunch etc. In the evenings I'm always on my own as DH is at work so I like the noise. Feels like company.

In answer to your other question, when visitors come it depends who it is if I leave it on or not. My SIL is one of my closest friends and we watch tv together if there is something we both like on, she comes over to keep me company. If it is family or someone I don't see often (rare that we gets proper visitors) it gets turned down to a very low volume but usually still cbeebies or something will be on. I do worry about the amount our tv is on tbh, I'm guessing this thread is off the back of mine from earlier

SemiNormal · 18/08/2016 17:54

I used to have it on as background noise when I was alone in the house, it covered up all other noises I might be jumpy about otherwise! Now I'm a parent I couldn't deal with it on all the time, in fact I said to my mum just last night that I'm thinking of getting rid of it completely as I prefer to watch things online or read a book.

meowli · 18/08/2016 17:54

Why do people need background noise?

How about maybe they're on their own a lot, and put the TV on for some company - a human voice, music, something to break the silence? I don't think it's rocket science , even if you don't have that particular need.

Gottagetmoving · 18/08/2016 17:54

What a stupid question. Maybe, just maybe because all people are different. Just that

It's not a stupid question. Obviously people like different things. I just wondered why people can't cope with silence. There will be a reason other than ' because I prefer it'

megletthesecond · 18/08/2016 17:54

Company, I usually have the news channel on. I'm not really watching it, just dip in and out.

I have radio 1 on in the kitchen. I'm a lp though so I don't have adults to talk to and go a bit loopy in silence.

Autumnsunshinebaby · 18/08/2016 17:56

Thanks for educating me Smile

I tend to put music on but if I was here on my own I'd put the radio on for the chat...not that I talk back you understand!

OP posts:
BrianCoxReborn · 18/08/2016 17:57

It's on all day.

It has to be.

Otherwise I'd have to interact with my children.

Amelie10 · 18/08/2016 17:59

I just wondered why people can't cope with silence.

Er are you being serious? You really can't comprehend that people can actually be different.Hmm

Gottagetmoving · 18/08/2016 17:59

It's a way of demonstrating some kind of superiority complex - turning up your nose at totally innocuous things and being 'shocked' that anyone could like it, and masking it by asking why

No it isn't. It's curiosity as to why people want constant noise.
I didn't say it was wrong or turn my nose up....Your over active imagination reads too much into it.
Perhaps you have an inferiority complex that makes you think anyone who asks such a question think they are superior to you.

Gottagetmoving · 18/08/2016 18:02

Er are you being serious? You really can't comprehend that people can actually be different

Different, yes. The question was about silence being a problem.
One person managed to answer it without being a hostile prick.

ImperialBlether · 18/08/2016 18:08

What I don't understand is why people leave it on when someone visits - I can't focus on what someone's saying if the TV's on. When I'm watching it with people we always pause it when someone wants to talk.

usual · 18/08/2016 18:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PerspicaciaTick · 18/08/2016 18:18

I have radio 4 on all day, have done for the last 30 years. Apart from when I have the TV on. But my children are at school all day and I work sometimes...so I listen to R4 in the car instead.

allthecarbs · 18/08/2016 18:20

I like background noise but I use the radio for it. So much less distracting.

OddBoots · 18/08/2016 18:21

I have it on much of the time at the moment as I love the olympics, I also have it on to watch the Springwatch webcams when that is on.

Sparklesilverglitter · 18/08/2016 18:25

My parents have the to on all day and I have to admit so do I if I'm home. It's for back ground noise I hate silence

TheGruffaloMother · 18/08/2016 18:30

I gave it on about 1/3 of the time if I'm home. Usually on a cooking channel.

The best way that I can explain it is that I turn it on when I need something extra to be thinking about. I don't sit and watch it but I do glance at it and notice ingredients, recipes, etc. It's best when I'm having a cleaning day.

Another 1/3 of the time I've got so much going around my head that I couldn't stand the thought of it being on.

NavyandWhite · 18/08/2016 18:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rainbowunicorn73 · 18/08/2016 18:33

Had the Olympiad on in the background quite a bit recently, just in case I miss something Grin

BlancheBlue · 18/08/2016 18:38

It's usually a class thing

WaitrosePigeon · 18/08/2016 18:39

Just because? Background noise? Keeps kids occupied? You honestly haven't thought about those things?

WaitrosePigeon · 18/08/2016 18:39

Blanche can you expand on that please?

Minecraftfan · 18/08/2016 18:40

I have the TV on for company usually BBC news.When the DC's are home we have Pop(kids TV channel) I do turn the TV off if the DC's are not watching it
I am a lone worker in a dull job so I listen to Radio 4 to keep me company and my mind occupied.