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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

People that Say they don't watch TV

464 replies

Aquarius1234 · 14/01/2023 22:04

OMG so annoying. Esp those that lie.
You do watch TV so stop making out you spend all evening not looking at a screen!
Or those that say they never watch movies or go cinema. You then find out they go twice a year.
Watching sport or netflix counts as watching tv regardless if you watch it on your laptop or not.

OP posts:
yorkshirepudsx · 14/01/2023 23:58

Just joking @XenoBitch

XenoBitch · 14/01/2023 23:58

NormalNans · 14/01/2023 23:56

I’d say so, yes.

You’re watching a film / programme on a screen.

I guess the reason it’s irritating is because people try desperately to claim something which is patently untrue.

Like the example I mention upthread.

So is watching a snapshot of a program on a TV in a shop window, also watching a TV?

Because watching live TV makes us have to pay for the TV license.

Coffeetableposhbooks · 14/01/2023 23:59

BigHeadBertha · 14/01/2023 23:53

Okay, after reading all of the OP's posts, I think I get it. Personally, I don't know anyone who claims not to watch TV. But I think the OP knows people who put on airs that they're above "common" entertainment, too artsy or serious or whatever to watch TV, when it's a lie. If that's it then I'd agree because people who put on airs are annoying AF!

I’m not sure you can put on airs if you’re sitting there with an old dvd player watching dvds on repeat on your tv 😂

TheMoth · 15/01/2023 00:00

I watch telly, actual TV screen in living room, on weekend nights. I don't watch stuff on my phone or laptop. I usually finish work around 9 on weekdays, then I do this quaint, old fashioned thing called 'reading'. V envious of people who have time to waste on weeknights.

NormalNans · 15/01/2023 00:00

yorkshirepudsx · 14/01/2023 23:57

On a serious note -
I think some people, dependent on their age etc, classify 'watching tv' as live tv, like aerial channels

See, I don’t watch terrestrial TV channels and don’t watch anything live but probably watch TV for about 4 hours a day. Sometimes that’s on TV but often on phone etc.

If I said I don’t watch TV I’d be being completely disingenuous.

Bythehairywartsonmywitchychin · 15/01/2023 00:01

yorkshirepudsx · 14/01/2023 23:57

On a serious note -
I think some people, dependent on their age etc, classify 'watching tv' as live tv, like aerial channels

1000000000% this! and it would be on an actual TV and not a device.

yorkshirepudsx · 15/01/2023 00:01

@XenoBitch
there's so much of a grey area now.

If you want to identify as a non tv watching person that watches a tv, you go ahead.

I don't watch tv. Only eastenders. 🤣🤣🤣

NormalNans · 15/01/2023 00:01

XenoBitch · 14/01/2023 23:58

So is watching a snapshot of a program on a TV in a shop window, also watching a TV?

Because watching live TV makes us have to pay for the TV license.

Are you alright? You seem to be seriously clutching at straws here

2ndMrsdeWinter · 15/01/2023 00:02

I watch maybe three or four tv series a year. No more than that. I have told people I don’t watch tv and I will continue to say so because I mostly don’t.

yorkshirepudsx · 15/01/2023 00:02

@Bythehairywartsonmywitchychin yessss, when I'm talking with people if they say they don't watch tv this is what I presume they mean!

When my little one is asleep and I'm having 'down time' - I have YouTube on my tv on whatever but I don't watch it, I sit and watch funny videos on my phone lol

XenoBitch · 15/01/2023 00:02

yorkshirepudsx · 15/01/2023 00:01

@XenoBitch
there's so much of a grey area now.

If you want to identify as a non tv watching person that watches a tv, you go ahead.

I don't watch tv. Only eastenders. 🤣🤣🤣

Well, we can identify as anything nowadays. I might identify as a TV and see what privileges that gets me.

yorkshirepudsx · 15/01/2023 00:03

@XenoBitch you'll have to make sure everybody around you has a license to look at you first

Bubblebubblebah · 15/01/2023 00:05

😂 good thread

PriamFarrl · 15/01/2023 00:05

2ndMrsdeWinter · 15/01/2023 00:02

I watch maybe three or four tv series a year. No more than that. I have told people I don’t watch tv and I will continue to say so because I mostly don’t.

Like those people who say they are vegetarian but still eat a steak in a restaurant…..

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 15/01/2023 00:06

TheMoth · 15/01/2023 00:00

I watch telly, actual TV screen in living room, on weekend nights. I don't watch stuff on my phone or laptop. I usually finish work around 9 on weekdays, then I do this quaint, old fashioned thing called 'reading'. V envious of people who have time to waste on weeknights.

Some of us manage to do both Wink

MargaretThursday · 15/01/2023 00:06

Don't have a TV, don't have Netflix or anything else.can't remember the last time I watched a DVD, I think it was in about 2013 when ds had an operation and the hospital found Jurassic Park for him.
I do go to the cinema occasionally, I can list exactly what I've seen at the cinema.I've been 16 times in my life.That's about once every three years.

What does it matter? I find other ways to waste time. Not better or worse than TV. Who cares?

Zwicky · 15/01/2023 00:07

I watch telly, actual TV screen in living room, on weekend nights. I don't watch stuff on my phone or laptop. I usually finish work around 9 on weekdays, then I do this quaint, old fashioned thing called 'reading'. V envious of people who have time to waste on weeknights

Put your Barbara Cartland down and warm up the box then.

MrsRinaDecker · 15/01/2023 00:07

I guess there’s “do you watch TV?” in the specific, meaning television channels on a physical television, kinda like “do you own a Hoover?” meaning the specific brand of vacuum cleaner..
Then there’s “do you watch TV?” in the general meaning shows / sports / any broadcasts on a screen of your choice, which is like “do you own a hoover?” meaning any brand of vacuum cleaner.
To answer the former when you know the person means the latter is somewhat disingenuous!

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 15/01/2023 00:07

2ndMrsdeWinter · 15/01/2023 00:02

I watch maybe three or four tv series a year. No more than that. I have told people I don’t watch tv and I will continue to say so because I mostly don’t.

But you do 🫣

Honestly - why can't you just say "I don't watch a lot of TV" instead? Does it make you feel morally superior to say you don't watch it at all when you quite clearly do?

ItsNotReallyChaos · 15/01/2023 00:09

Once a fortnight I watch a film with DD. Other than that I generally watch an hour of TV a week, on iPlayer, if that and sometimes I go a few weeks without watching anything.

Am I allowed to say I don't watch much TV at all?

yorkshirepudsx · 15/01/2023 00:09

Zwicky · 15/01/2023 00:07

I watch telly, actual TV screen in living room, on weekend nights. I don't watch stuff on my phone or laptop. I usually finish work around 9 on weekdays, then I do this quaint, old fashioned thing called 'reading'. V envious of people who have time to waste on weeknights

Put your Barbara Cartland down and warm up the box then.

@Zwicky you've killed me 😭🤣🤣🤣🤣

SagittariusDwarf · 15/01/2023 00:09

XenoBitch · 14/01/2023 23:39

So, if I watch a film that is out at the cinema on a streaming service at home.. did I go to the cinema?

No, you didnt go to the cinema. You watched it at home. Are you being deliberately obtuse?

SagittariusDwarf · 15/01/2023 00:10

XenoBitch · 14/01/2023 23:50

Is watching a DVD watching TV?

Yes.

yorkshirepudsx · 15/01/2023 00:10

ItsNotReallyChaos · 15/01/2023 00:09

Once a fortnight I watch a film with DD. Other than that I generally watch an hour of TV a week, on iPlayer, if that and sometimes I go a few weeks without watching anything.

Am I allowed to say I don't watch much TV at all?

You're allowed to say whatever you like

BigHeadBertha · 15/01/2023 00:10

Coffeetableposhbooks · 14/01/2023 23:59

I’m not sure you can put on airs if you’re sitting there with an old dvd player watching dvds on repeat on your tv 😂

Good point haha. But I DO know a couple of people who brag about how little they spend or how old and worn out their stuff is, reverse snobbery or whatever. Maybe it's like that, IDK. 😂