TV incompatibility

[ExHack]

OH only likes to watch old black and white films (1940s era), sports and documentaries. I HATE most of those old films but will watch them with him and try to find something good about it.

However, when it's "my turn" to choose a film he watches for five minutes then goes into the kitchen to make tea and says "don't pause it"… Last night I said "I don't want you to miss anything" and he said "I don't think I'm going to get into this one" and then sat with his laptop and headphones on while I watched the film. (It was Babe, incidentally—I wanted something cheerful after watching the Queen's proceedings all day.)

I know I can watch it on my own but part of the fun of films is sharing them, which is why I "suffer" through the old black and white ones. I think he should make a similar effort!

I don't see why you'd suffer through a film you have no interest in. I'm sure that's what Mumsnet was made for - scrolling while the OH is watching an old Western

Tbh Dh and I hardly ever watch films together, our taste is so different it's probably once in a blue moon. Also, Babe...no wonder your husband preferred to do something else.

Well, I see it as showing an interest in what your OH is interested in. But surely it needs to work both ways!

Aww! It was just supposed to be something lighthearted to make us smile.

You don't ahave to both be into films. Just watch what you want and if he doesn't complain then there's no problem.

Babe is landmark cinema 😀

HINBU not to want to watch it, but HIBU if he's spoiling it for you with some extra pointed Performance Ignoring.

I'm another one whose taste in tv viewing differs wildly to DH's preferences. Rarely watch anything 'together' but usually sat side by side on the sofa of a night.

No you don't routinely suffer something you don't like. You can show an interest by asking what its about, or who is in it if you wish then say its not for me and let him crack on with it. If you want to do more together find something you both enjoy

There's nothing fun about watching a film you're not enjoying, don't martyr yourself to his B&Ws. I'm sure there are other things you share and enjoy together?

I hate having to watch stuff I don't like. I get twitchy and start fidgeting. DH will just complain bitterly if made to watch stuff he doesnt like.

As a consequence we rarely watch telly together as we don't like the same stuff. It works for us as we spend plenty of other time together.

I refuse to watch anything I don’t want to sat through sins to shut him bored stiff wasn’t interested. If he even puts Simpson’s on I walk out the room sport in the background railway stuf I don’t mind.

We sit in different rooms to watch TV because we like different things. Or I will sit and read. If you only have one room and one TV then you certainly can't expect him to be interested in what you've chosen.

I do love Babe though, "that'll do pig, that'll do"

We usually agree a compromise up front and if one of us isn't into it after a few minutes we will switch it over to something else. We do watch TV separately quite a bit as I'm on mat leave and therefore have time during the day but tend to go to bed early.

I'm sorry but Babe would lose most adults I think. I wouldn't sit through it!

That’s why I love it when dh goes out and he is the same with me. There is something he wants to watch so I’ve told him to watch it over the weekend when I’m at work.
There is no way I’d sit through black and white films.

I love Babe, especially the beautiful Saint-Saëns.

I think you should take a leaf out of your partner’s book- no need to force yourself to watch everything he watches. DH and I used to do this and then found we had almost nothing to watch, despite each of us having a long list, because we didn’t want to inflict our taste on each other. Much better to feel free to do as your partner does. You can always make an extra effort occasionally.

Only black and white films from the 40's. Seriously.....Does he feel they are superior?

People are allowed to like different things. I like lots of different films but I'd certainly rather watch Casablanca than Babe.

OP, I don't really see why you want to 'share' something with your DH that he doesn't like. You can't force him to enjoy something he's not into. He's clearly happy to do other things while you watch a film, so I suggest you do the same if you don't like the films he watches. You're different people; you don't have to be joined at the hip.

Are you married to a 60 year old OP?

I can't imagine the boring life you lead married to someone who only enjoys black and white films

My Nan even watches the odd colour film

There's nothing boring about black and white films, there are some absolutely brilliant ones.

@Chikapu

You're aware there is a difference between only enjoying old films and thinking the odd one is good right?

I was always so confused by Babe, it’s meant to be set in England but it’s always green & sunny, even at Christmas. It really bothers me! 🤣

DH and I are the same and it’s so annoying. He loves all the Marvel films/Harry Potter/anything with witches and fairies. I like things like Jane the Virgin/Orange is the New Black/a good gritty crime drama. All of his films bore me to tears (it was Thor last night) The night before I chose Married at First Sight U.K. as it was my turn but I know it’s not really his thing. There’s a couple of things we both like though e.g Suits, Upload and Emily in Paris so that’s something I suppose.

Of course but some people only read one genre of books or only watch soap operas, it doesn't mean they're boring or old (nice little ageist dig there btw).

@Chikapu

People who only watch black and white films on the most part will be older though, as for some it's what they're used to