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Original poster

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:
AcrossthePond55 · 15/01/2023 01:32

I think it's a bit of semantics. People may define things differently.

If you asked me "Do you watch much TV?" I'd tell you that I watch very little TV. In fact, if someone asks me if I caught XX show that's on 'regular' TV I usually say "No, I don't watch much TV". But that's because I think of 'watching TV' as watching broadcast/network TV. But I do watch loads of streaming movies and series, usually on my laptop. So if you were to ask me something more 'broad' like "Do you watch many movies and/or series at home?" I'd tell you that I do.

But I certainly don't see a reason to get upset at other people's viewing habits, how they define them, or what they choose to call them. Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to.

XenoBitch · 15/01/2023 01:32

GilChesterton · 15/01/2023 01:02

Ugh. There just seems to be a certain type of person who thinks that, if they don't like something, they are somehow better than people who do like it. You see it in TV watchers too - "Oh, I don't watch [insert name of popular show" said with a punchably smug look, as if not liking things is a substitute for a personality.

Absolutely no one on this thread has acted in such a way.

Luredbyapomegranate · 15/01/2023 01:37

Lots of people don’t watch much TV.

so what?

AnnieSnap · 15/01/2023 01:42

XenoBitch · 15/01/2023 00:14

I watched stuff on on my PC, and I watched DVDs (and the people the sneer at that can fuck off)... I was still exempt from paying for a TV license.

Show quote history

So what you mean is I do not watch A TELEVISION, not I do not watch television!

WisteriaLodge · 15/01/2023 01:52

My SIL proudly announced she hasn't watched TV for months, after more questioning from me she then went on to say that she only watches catch up tv, Oh so you DO watch the television then? Just not tv transmitted live, talk about disingenuous...

GoAgainstNicki · 15/01/2023 02:01

@XenoBitch are you being slightly obtuse or are you being so genuine right now? You clearly watch TV. Many people have told you and you’re quite literally the perfect example of the what the OP was talking about.

You use a PC. You watch certain shows and don’t flick through etc. That is literally watching TV. You may not sit down and watch your shows on an actual TV screen. But you watch TV. It’s really not that difficult😂 now I see why the OP says it pisses her off!

Ladyincrimson · 15/01/2023 02:03

I don’t understand why you care so much?

HolyZarquonsSingingSeals · 15/01/2023 02:07

You are far too invested in what other people do in their spare time. And no, they do not owe you full disclosure.

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 15/01/2023 02:08

HolyZarquonsSingingSeals · 15/01/2023 02:07

You are far too invested in what other people do in their spare time. And no, they do not owe you full disclosure.

But they shouldn't lie or say hardly at all when they watch hours and hours.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 15/01/2023 02:10

Oh I don't watch TV. But what the fuck do you do instead.. you do watch lots as I heard you talking about so and do.
No this is a relative that is on what's app 24/ 7. Hardly someone with arts and crafts hobbies.

OP posts:
WandaWonder · 15/01/2023 02:14

Aquarius1234 · 15/01/2023 02:08

But they shouldn't lie or say hardly at all when they watch hours and hours.

Show quote history

People shouldn't commit crime but they do.

People can say what they want about television there is no law against it

Same way people can think people that are that invested in how or why or where people watch TV or not, if genuine, could really do with seeing a counsellor as to be that intense is worrying

EveSix · 15/01/2023 02:20

Weeping😂
Maybe it's an age thing, OP?
Being in my late 40s, I definitely think of "TV" as in a television set upon which live broadcast TV can be viewed according to a programming schedule.
I don't have one.
I do have a laptop. On it, I watch a very occasional movie, purchased online via YouTube or Amazon, in the school holidays, so maybe 6 times a year.
I say I don't have a television, but by your reckoning, I clearly watch TV, as in on-screen entertainment.
I love watching it at my mum's and MiL's though, where it's on all the time, as do my DC.
"A hill to die on", it's a vaguely military reference, alluding to making a very strong stand on a specific issue, with much conviction and commitment, in the face of fierce opposition: "I'm prepared to die on this hill!" / "Is this really a hill you're prepared to die on?"

milkyaqua · 15/01/2023 02:22

It's those people who go out of their way to inform you that they don't watch TV, with a sort of smirk. Implying you are old school/dense/a sad case. Unlike them. They are superior!

If you've not encountered these people, then you don't know what the OP and others are talking about.

Meanwhile there are threads on cheese on toast and overcooked steaks you could go on and complain about...

JaneJeffer · 15/01/2023 02:22

I know someone like that who says they hardly ever watch telly but if you're with them in a group and anyone mentions any programme they have seen it and are up to speed with all the soaps. It's actually funny Grin

Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 15/01/2023 02:25

I'm 36 and I don't think of watching tv needing to be live. Not for years.
Sport is live broadcast absolutely for TV and money.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aquarius1234 · 15/01/2023 02:25

JaneJeffer · 15/01/2023 02:22

I know someone like that who says they hardly ever watch telly but if you're with them in a group and anyone mentions any programme they have seen it and are up to speed with all the soaps. It's actually funny Grin

Wonder what their point is.

OP posts:
JaneJeffer · 15/01/2023 02:27

I think they equate watching tv with laziness (rightly enough) and don't want to be seen as such. I have no problem admitting I'm lazy as hell.

HollyBerri · 15/01/2023 02:37

Actually this didn’t bother me at all until I read some of the replies. A lot of people on here clearly do watch tv but bizarrely say they don’t. Just odd.

JaneJeffer · 15/01/2023 02:39

They're probably the same type of people who read all the royal family threads and tell everyone they're awful for discussing them but won't hide the topic.

EveSix · 15/01/2023 02:50

Maybe it's more about people being disingenuous, smug and judgemental?
If you are specifically wound up by a particular relative, OP, would it help to raise this with her in person? Or make a joke about it?

MistyRock · 15/01/2023 02:52

user143677433 · 14/01/2023 22:09

But that is watching TV. What you mean is that you don’t watch live broadcasts I guess?

Show quote history

Exactly. Of course you're watching TV. What a stupid thing to say. 😂

DarkNecessities · 15/01/2023 03:25

I think you’re possibly thinking they say it to sound superior when actually, they’re not.

tbh, I rarely watch TV (I’m trying to watch more) but singer fed up with people asking me if I have watch things. The easy reply is to say that I don’t really watch TV

NormalNans · 15/01/2023 06:40

EveSix · 15/01/2023 02:20

Weeping😂
Maybe it's an age thing, OP?
Being in my late 40s, I definitely think of "TV" as in a television set upon which live broadcast TV can be viewed according to a programming schedule.
I don't have one.
I do have a laptop. On it, I watch a very occasional movie, purchased online via YouTube or Amazon, in the school holidays, so maybe 6 times a year.
I say I don't have a television, but by your reckoning, I clearly watch TV, as in on-screen entertainment.
I love watching it at my mum's and MiL's though, where it's on all the time, as do my DC.
"A hill to die on", it's a vaguely military reference, alluding to making a very strong stand on a specific issue, with much conviction and commitment, in the face of fierce opposition: "I'm prepared to die on this hill!" / "Is this really a hill you're prepared to die on?"

Not an age thing, I’m 50 and I don’t know anyone who claims to not watch TV because they don’t watch films and TV programmes on an actual TV.

KimberleyClark · 15/01/2023 07:09

We don’t have the TV on as background and we don’t channel surf, we put the TV on to watch something specific or a DVD. I would not claim not to watch TV.

Marigoldandivy · 15/01/2023 08:21

What people mean when they say they don’t watch TV is that they have better taste and are more intelligent than other people. This allows them to actually watch TV, but to categorise it as ‘not watchingTV’ because they perceive what they watch to be good, and therefore not what tasteless, unintelligent people watch. Apologies to anyone who literally does not watch anything broadcast, via TV, laptop, iPad, phone, you’re consistent, but really missing out on David Attenborough’s programmes😊