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AIBU?

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Original poster

Does anyone NOT have a TV?

204 replies

H1ghw4y61Revisited · 29/10/2016 20:02

My little brother (12) is hoping to come and live with me in the new year. A friend of mine was joking about it today and said that will be the end of my having no TV in the house. Made me wonder if there are still people out there who chose not to have a TV in their house?

OP posts:
yesterdaysunshine · 30/10/2016 08:22

I get adverts still

Artandco · 30/10/2016 08:23

No tv here. We don't watch anything on other devices like a tablet or laptop either.

I very very rarely see when we would have time. Work full time, kids now at school, spend free time outside or with friends. Home is time for reading, kids playing, cooking, chores, baths, bed.

We take kids to cinema a few times a year in average.

yesterdaysunshine · 30/10/2016 08:24

I watch soaps and I like a few programmes.

I do want a TV but just haven't got round to it.

I worry about the children not knowing much about popular culture.

Theoretician · 30/10/2016 08:24

I still think that having the TV as the focal point t of your main room is chavvy. Or, as my mother would say, common. How about you talk to each other?

Anyone who is entertained by talking to a person they've talked to every night for years has so little brain that I'd run screaming from the room.

I can't imagine anyone on earth who wouldn't run out of things I'd find interesting to hear in less than a month of daily conversations. (And, considering the opposite direction, as I'm not the Queen or Stephen Hawking, I doubt I could fill anyone's week, let alone their whole life.)

In theory I agree that there are far better things one could be doing than watching TV, but talking to people isn't one of them.

ElizaDontlittle · 30/10/2016 08:33

I didn't before I met DH - he was a bit Halloween Shock
Now we have one I do watch bits but DH is the one who spends evenings in front of it. For me personally I notice I sleep less and my mood drops if I do so so reading/long baths/creating something all work better for me and it was certainly easier to push myself to do the above while I didn't have one. Self- discipline is not so easy! OP if your brother has always had one I suspect cold turkey might be a bit challenging and your older brother is probably right about the retreating to his room. You sound a brilliant sister, I agree.

anotheronebitthedust · 30/10/2016 08:45

I didn't have a tv for ages, now I have one my DParents were getting rid of but it isn't plugged into an aerial so I don't need a tv license - I just use it if I want to link it up to my laptop to watch netflix on a bigger screen, although tbf I hardly ever even do that.

No real reason why, just because I don't watch loads of TV, and what I do watch tends to be US series and stuff you can't get over here at the same time, so it makes more sense and is cheaper to pay for Netflix/Amazon Prime than TV license.

Started out as an experiment, thought I'd see how I went for a few weeks then just never missed it.

Couldn't imagine being judgy about people that do have tvs, whatever their size though.

ShyCharles · 30/10/2016 08:59

I don't have one. Can't justify the licence fee.

BowieFan · 30/10/2016 09:23

I think it really encourages everyone to talk to one another, read more, play musical instruments and games, be creative etc

We do talk to each other. If anything, we talk more because we talk about the programmes we're watching, discuss them or DCs tell me what they've been watching/enjoying. DS1 plays drums and guitar as well as football. DS2 paints oil paintings and plays football.

Amazingly, owning a TV hasn't stopped them from doing any of those things! In fact, DS2 only took up oil painting because he saw a Bob Ross program on the telly and it inspired him to take it up himself!

BowieFan · 30/10/2016 09:28

I still think that having the TV as the focal point t of your main room is chavvy. Or, as my mother would say, common. How about you talk to each other?

Sorry, but neither me or DP are interesting enough to have 20 years worth of conversations about each other. There's only so many times you can talk about how DP had to wash out the bin this morning.

We tend to talk about the things we're watching or reading, or new music we're listening to.

BowieFan · 30/10/2016 09:31

Artandco

We do all of those things and manage to watch TV. Kids love reading, as do I and DP. We all cook, the kids do chores, they have hobbies and go out with friends. Still have time to watch telly together.

You're missing out on so much, to be honest. I've actually found watching TV and films together can actually bring you closer together - we can all be befuddled together watching Broadchurch, me and DS1 can get shit scared together watching American Horror Story etc.

Dontpanicpyke · 30/10/2016 09:36

What Bowie just said.

Why don't you ask your brother if he wants one op? Sorry if missed that

Walkinthew00ds · 30/10/2016 09:39

Have not had a TV for 5 years
I find that I spend more time out of the house doing things

yesterdaysunshine · 30/10/2016 09:43

Well, I'm not interested in films so don't get all that. Everyone's different.

oklumberjack · 30/10/2016 10:06

I agree with Bowie.

We love TV. We love films too. Me and dh are self employed in the film industry and also book publishing. We enjoy tv, music, films, books, knitting, walking, cooking, games and yes....talking. Nothing is mutually exclusive!

In fact, dd (12) and I have bonded hugely over watching Friends. She discovered it and told me about this 'new' show she's seen. I got nostalgic and started re-watching them all. We made an appointment together to watch. We would make ourselves a cuppa, get a blanket, laugh and then discuss. We've discussed all aspects of relationships - I shared my experiences with first boyfriends etc. It's really helped her deal with an incident at school recently when an older boy tried to chat her up in the dinner queue!

There's such great stuff on tv, reruns aside.

BowieFan · 30/10/2016 10:21

I should also add that TV has made my DS2 come to terms with being on the spectrum. He finally has a hero to look up to and doesn't feel ashamed anymore. That hero? Dr Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds. DS2 is an avid reader as well, but still enjoys telly.

Jammiedodgers · 30/10/2016 11:22

I would let him stay with your brother rather than upset his routine but I thin U will definitely need a tv or laptop and wifi. A 12 year old will be hard work so make sure u are prepared and consider not moving him until the new school year. Why can't he stay with his parents? I think a sister will be a poor substitute for a mum and dad at that age but that's just imvho.

RattieOfCatan · 30/10/2016 11:39

We don't have one and we don't intend to get one unless DH buys a console at some point, so even then it wont be used to watch TV on. We have two desktop PCs (one each) and watch things on Amazon and Netflix on my PC which we bought a bigger screen for for that purpose. But we do spend a lot of time gaming or generally using our computers, swings and roundabouts!

GinAndTunic · 30/10/2016 11:41

I grew up without one and still don't have one.

Yes, a laptop (with parental controls as well as in-person checking) and wifi is perfectly sufficient.

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 30/10/2016 11:49

I didn't used to have a TV.

At one point, I didn't have a TV, WiFi or landline phone. I've never been so productive before or since that period.

Eventually, I bought a flat and had to get a TV to accomodate the person who petsits for me when I'm working away.

I still rarely watch TV (maybe less than once a month).

On the bright side, now I have a TV, I no longer get the monthly cheeky-as-fuck harrassing letters from the TV Licensing Board. Smile

NicknameUsed · 30/10/2016 11:51

I still think that having the TV as the focal point t of your main room is chavvy. Or, as my mother would say, common. How about you talk to each other

Wow Sailaway Hmm

Would you care to qualify why elderly/disabled/housebound people are chavvy?

Could you explain why the entire family watching a specific TV programme or film on TV together and having a discussion about it afterwards is chavvy?

Why do you have such a narrow minded view that people who own a TV do nothing else with their spare time?

We are a TV watching family. We also manage to find time to read, eat, go out, do hobbies, play board games, entertain friends and do homework and volunteer at Brownies in DD's case. OH is a highly qualified scientist at the top of his game. He has a first class degree and masters and a PhD.

Oh, and we talk to each other all the time. We don't have the TV on as background, we watch specific programmes and hate reality TV programmes like Big Brother. I assume you never, ever watch anything on any type of screen, go to the cinema or theatre. Since you are far too snooty to watch TV I assume that you aren't aware that there are some really intelligent thought provoking documentaries that expand your mind and are educational. Not all TV is pure entertainment, but you wouldn't know that as you never watch it.

Your statement says far more about you than it does about people who own a TV.

For the record I don't know any family that doesn't own a TV. And most of them are highly educated professionals who are not in the least bit chavvy.

NicknameUsed · 30/10/2016 11:52

Oh, and what about people who live on their own and are housebound? Who do they talk to?

eyebrowsonfleek · 30/10/2016 12:04

TVs and game consoles are the norm in houses with 12 year olds. Minimum you'd need is Internet (fast one not standard) and a smart phone or laptop so he can watch YouTube (the channel of choice for teens/tweens)

JasperDamerel · 30/10/2016 12:06

She didn't actually say that owning a TV was chavvy, just that having it as the focal point of the room is, which is different. I don't entirely agree, but there is a slight difference between having a sofa opposite a fireplace with a painting hung over the mantelpiece with a TV in the alcove next to the chimney breast and a room where the TV is hung over the fireplace.

instantly · 30/10/2016 12:16

yesterday we watch Apple TV and Netflix only, hence no adverts.

Actually, DS is addicted to YouTube which is pretty much ALL advertising, so ignore me, I'm talking shite.

I don't miss TV at all but take away my wifi.... I'm bereft Smile

instantly · 30/10/2016 12:17