To ask if you "do" subtitles.

[Storm4star]

I've watched some great subtitled stuff on netflix over the past few months and so it's recommended me more subtitled stuff. For instance I'm currently watching a Chinese show which is kind of "black mirror" ish. I like watching these things and within a minute or two I don't even register that I'm reading the dialogue and not hearing it, iyswim? Yet every time I've tried to recommend something to family or friends, the response is always "I don't do subtitles". I can understand that maybe if someone is dyslexic or similar, or has sight problems, then yes it might not be possible. But otherwise I find it a tad frustrating when I know someone would love a particular show/film but they won't watch it because it's not in English. So I'm curious as to how common this is.

I have tried subtitles and I just can not get on with them, it gives me a headache.
Shame because I know I'm missing out.
I can watch most dubbed though, Dark on Netflix was well done and hardly noticed.

like you, i find that after a few minutues I don't notice that i'm reading subtitles. We haven't watched much with subtitles for ages, as i often crochet whilst watching things, but i'm going to look up some of the shows recommended on here and try watching some more

If I want to watch something and find it has subtitles I may stick with it and enjoy it. But my DD often recommends films with subtitles and my knee jerk reaction is 'I can't be bothered'.

I watch most programmes (English ones too) with subtitles and I don't register the difference at all. If I'm watching on my iPad then I have to have subtitles as otherwise I can't heard it properly and miss what's been said but DP doesn't like them on the tv so I don't have them on then (I don't need them on the big tv but prefer it for when DP inevitably starts chatting shit during an interesting show!) I can watch and read at the same time, or at least I think I can, so I don't feel I'm missing any important expressions and find it good for programmes where the characters talk quite quickly (just finished Sherlock last week, late to the party I know but missed it on the TV and subs were definitely useful for that show.)

I crochet/ knit while I'm watching tv. This means I'm glancing up and down so subtitles wouldn't really work for me. I hate just sitting without anything to do with my hands. (Probably a hangover from smoking )

No. I pretty much only watch tv when I'm cross stitching and I can't sew and read at the same time. I really listen to tv shows/films rather than watch them nowadays!

I know I'm missing out on some great stuff. My brain connects tv with sewing now so I feel all weird and aggiated if my hands aren't doing something while I watch so i'll probably never see any subtitles stuff ever again.

I love hearing the original language even if I don’t speak a word of it. Actually, I have picked up a few words here and there in various languages just from watching films. Of course, subtitles have their drawbacks and can’t convey all the subtleties of the original. But they are the best option available IMO.

My DH is from a country that dubs all foreign films. Dubbing drives me batty but he actually prefers it, as that is what he’s used to.

I wish all programmes and films had them because so many actors mumble as if they are afraid to let anyone hear what they are saying or won't move their lips. Accents also give me a problem sometimes and once I lose track of what is going on I lose interest and give up. It is not my hearing either, it is just mumbling and muttering, often drowned out by the too loud 'background music'.

However I like to use the internet or sew or something else while watching TV so get fidgety if I have to watch the screen all the time in case I miss something.

It depends. I enjoy a number of subtitled shows and movies. Some of my absolute favourite tv shows and movies are all or part subtitled. However I am not always in the mood for them. Unless I'm watching on the laptop, I need to wear glasses to read the subtitles comfortably on the tv. If I have any sort of headache, I really don't want to wear them. I also can't knit, crochet, craft, exercise or do anything else while watching a subtitled show/movie.

Yes, I "do" subtitles.

There are a lot of awesome foreign language dramas out there and I think you miss a lot of the subtlety if you don't watch it in the original.

I would recommend "Dark" on Netflix if you haven't watched it already (German). The English dubbing is awful and ruins it IMO.

Also I have a terrible habit of looking at my phone, browsing the internet, texting people etc when I'm watching TV and I miss so much. With subtitled shows I'm forced to give it my full attention.

I completely agree with what quite a few people have said, in that subtitles make you pay attention! I think I'm like this too, if it's in English my attention can easily drift away and I end up not watching the programme properly.

I watch subtitled stuff while on the cross trainer as it is too noisy to hear dialogue.

I recommend The Outlaws on all4. Very funny, very dark.

The benefit of foreign TV is that you don't know the actors so you're not going "he was in Eastenders" and so the characters are more believable I find.

I use subtitles a fair bit as I love anime and am very happy watching foreign films. DH is more likely to avoid but it's more of a "have to be in the mood for it" type thing and if we are tired then we are much less likely to try.

I also like finding foreign animation, I was surprised that my DCs (then 8 and 6) didn't bat an eye at the difference. DS couldn't read well then but was happy following the simple story without it. Now he reads well enough so it opens up more options and going back to the earlier films he's picking up more of the funny bits and enjoying them even more.