Airbnb and TV - AIBU?

[GoldOnyx]

DH, DMum, DS and I are on holiday in an Airbnb in Portugal.

We had a few problems with the shower and with a lingering smell of drying laundry, so messaged the host and she came today to try and sort these. She sorted the shower, which was good. The drying laundry smells have persisted for a while, which I think has pissed off my DMum, although they’re no longer there, which is good.

The other thing is we have a TV, which is good, but there aren’t many channels and they’re all in Portuguese. The remote I think we need to access the channels doesn’t work unfortunately.

When the host came today to sort the other stuff, we asked her if we could use the other remote and she said she’d drop off some batteries so we could use it.

The host didn’t drop off the batteriesI went out to get some, but the other remote still didn’t work unfortunately. I don’t want to annoy her, as I’m worried about getting a bad review, but would it be worth me messaging her again to ask if she can help firther with the remote?

We’re leaving on Sunday morning, so in a way it doesn’t seem worth it, but my DM quite likes watching TV before going to bed, which is fair enough, and would like some English language channels to watch if possible.

It’s a damp, wet smell and it was coming from laundry that was drying in the Airbnb that we’re staying in. I think it’s self-explanatory, to be fair. It was a really unpleasant smell that stayed around the apartment for a while, and I think that added to my DM’s frustration about the apartment.

I'd get over the TV I think your mum is just picking. She's probably the sort to find fault in everything

No not really self explanatory. Are you saying the host of the Airbnb had wet washing hung around your apartment, how very strange.

That’s a fair point. That’s not very nice to say about my mum though. She has moments when she can be a bit frustrating (like we all do) but she’s still my mum!

Yes, exactly. I’m saying the smell of drying laundry is pretty self-explanatory. You know that damp, wet smell you get if you dry laundry indoors?

No, sorry I don't. Mine smells of washing detergent and fabric softener, quite a nice smell.

I suspect it is not that the remote doesn't work, its that the service it used to switch on, on the TV, no longer exists. I've a friend in Portugal who says the same as a PP, they no longer get those channels and have to watch via streaming.

It may also be that the remote is for some bit of equipment that is no longer there, might not be the AirBnB host who actually set up the tech so they may not realise this.

A thread about why a lot of European countries cba with the wonderful British folk. Amazing

I think your mums being a bit unreasonable to want English news channels in Portugal if I’m being honest OP. I would leave it. I’m sure she’ll be ok without the news for a week

If you are that inflexible and need to have certain programs, you need to bring an ipad with vpn and watch iplayer. My DMIL was very focused on watching the same tv programs every day religiously and we went abroad together and she never once mentioned them or complained (and she was a big complainer). I am sure your DM can cope a few days without the news or give her your phone or ipad. Leave the poor host alone tonight.

I think your post is a bit harsh. My mum isn’t actually British and she speaks three languages (unfortunately not Portuguese).

It’s a bit rude to make the assumption you’re making, just because she has asked for the option to watch an English news channel. It sounds like you’re saying she is someone who expects other countries and cultures to lay out the red carpet for her when she visits and yet to give nothing in return. She is very respectful and kind when she visits other countries and is very far from what you are suggesting.

My DH, DS and I all speak Portuguese fluently and have used it all the time this holiday, and my DM has also made an effort to use the Portuguese words she knows.

I'm so confused. How exactly do you expect the host to get some English Channels

My clothes drying don't have that "damp, wet smell" either.

Probably coming from the house. I've been to Portugal.

Why on earth does your mum think English language tv is standard in foreign countries?

Tell your mum to get a smart phone then she can download BBC apps etc. for when she's out of the country. It's also super handy for banking etc.
And don't tell me she's "too old". I'm almost 70 myself.

The English language channels are available on the remote I mentioned in my OP that doesn’t work.

My mum doesn’t think English language TV is standard in foreign countries. It is available, however, on the second remote that comes with the TV and that doesn’t work. She doesn’t want a smartphone - I think that’s fair enough.

Can someone else in your group not lend your mum their smartphone so she can watch BBC or Sky News?

If the service has been switched off all the remotes in the world won’t help.

But you clearly DO expect it or you wouldn’t have posted about it. Expecting it for your mother doesn’t make it any less expected.

I’m confused about how a different remote will make channels appear on the TV.

Fair enough your mum doesn't want a smart phone, hope she at least knows how to use a computer as more and more stuff can only be done online. High street bank branches disappearing etc.

Anyway, you should be getting on the case of the Airbnb host as to why something advertised is not available.

I have BBC and don't even live in UK!

Did the host not explain as others on here have that the thing was switched off?

Are you able to change the channels at all? English channels aside, you should have a remote control that works.

Couldn't she use your smart phone?

I don’t expect it, no. I’ve asked in my OP if it’s reasonable or not for us to ask the host to help us with this second TV remote, as it does have English language channels on it.

Of course! I’ve offered it to her several times and she has used it. She would just prefer to watch the news on TV.