Why are people so sanctimonious about people watching TV on holiday

[INeedAHolidayRest]

Why is it wrong if, on my holiday, I want to watch TV?

I see it all the time- if some posts (here, Facebook, other SM) that they are disappointed that the TV doesn't work- then there are posts after posts saying 'you can watch TV at home' 'how can you watch TV in insert beautiful location

I am currently on a UK break and the TV doesn't work- the host has said there is loads to do elsewhere.

But it is my holiday, I don't see why people accept it is ok to lie on a Sunday lounger for a week, but don't think I should have my own escape.

I don't want to read, I just want to catch up on some series in peace and quiet, is that too much to ask?

I’m a news junkie, so I either have R4 on or Sky or BBC News on TV in the background with the sound turned down even when I’m not actively watching it. it’s one of my bad habits.

I admit that I do sometimes put R4 or a news channel on while I’m on holiday, purely out of habit. DP despair, poor chap.

If it's a UK holiday it's really nice to have a movie night on one or two of the evenings we are not eating out. Additionally, we like to have the radio on via BBC sounds app etc. Summer hols are during the BBC Proms. We could listen through a lap top, phone or iPad but the sound is better on a tv

It's real strange isn't it? People pretending they're really progressive or something because they can't understand that people might watch TV on holiday, but can't wrap their heads around the fact that you don't have to do that 24/7 but might just enjoy doing it for a couple of hours in the evening.

You’re really missing out.

Going to Italy in 10 days. Will be confined to a villa (apart from walks) doing a bit of cooking with the Nonna that housekeeps for the villa, taking a biggish crochet project and books. Will have the iPad so Mumsnet & HayDay

We don’t have TV at home so it’s a novelty…still mainly absolute crap , but novel crap. (Currently in Canada watching police car chase sort of stuff …give us 15 mins and we’ll turn it off). It’s a silly indulgence after a day exploring a new city and doing the tourist thing. If it soothes your brain and makes you happy , who cares?

I read constantly, often several books on the go at a time, at home or on holiday. I also binge watch television and films when I’m in the mood. People who get all superior about not watching television on holiday are just feeding their need to feel “better” than everyone else. Chances are, they may not be watching television, but they’re scrolling their phones 24/7.

It's a bit unusual that the TV doesn't work unless they're just saying that because they don't want it on

I hope you brought a phone or tablet so you can watch something you want to watch anyway

Surely you’re only missing out on something if it’s something you enjoy?
I have watched television in the past, obviously. I still do very occasionally. There is generally something else I’d rather be doing, so I don’t feel like I’m missing out. If I did, I’d watch more television, there is nothing stopping me!
It’s weird that you can’t express a preference without being told that you obviously feel ‘morally superior’ or whatever. It’s just a preference.

We love watching TV on holiday! I think if we had lie around the pool holiday, we would want to go out in the evenings, but we usually go out and explore and do stuff. It’s nice to come back to the apartment, shower and chill out with snacks in front of the TV. I don’t watch much TV at home as I’m always so busy.

I don't watch much TV at home. I struggle to relax, there is always something else to be done, and I've just got out of the habit.

So, depending on where we are, it can be nice to watch something together on holiday. We don't usually enjoy hotel entertainment, and with DC, we are not out drinking in the evenings. Our days are usually busy, and then we crash out in the evenings. I do like to read on holiday (and at home), but that is a solo activity, where watching a film or TV show is something we can do together. We also play a lot of board games - but we do that at home a lot too.

Last holiday, I actually reflected that I need to start making time to sit down and watch something together with DC and DH more often at home.

Yeah this exactly.

I prefer interactive activities., where that be posting on here,playing games, crocheting, reading or heaven forbid even editing my photos ( though why sneery comments about doing that I don't know)

So things that are " doing" rather than passively watching/ listening

I'm probably one of the few people than don't watch a film on a 12 hour flight

I don't care if others watch tv ( as long as it's not disturbing me) but it seems that the TV watchers here are very defensive. Why?

or heaven forbid even editing my photos

I edit my photos @Timeforachange26 . I even use Photoshop if I need to.
I download them on to my laptop when I get home, name them, sort them and put them in folders, then back them up on a flash drive.

I'll get me anorak 😁

DH and I don't because we regularly watch TV from 7:30pm to around 10pm at home, and we like to do something different on holiday. We holiday in the UK so the TV wouldn't be any different from what we could watch at home.

I couldn't care less what others do on their holidays though! The point of a holiday is to do what you enjoy, if TV is part of an enjoyable holiday, why not?

Sounds normal to me I tend to travel for longer periods so do them while away

YANBU. I hate the superiority of people who say they don’t watch tv. It’s a bit like people who go to bed early and get up early saying night owls are lazy.

I have to say that I think that’s a pretty rubbish reply from the landlady.

Do you know, at risk of completely derailing the thread, I just can't get into it with digital photos. I used to love taking the film to Boots, the excitement of picking the photos up when they were developed, looking through them, being annoyed at the overexposed ones, or the wonderful view of my thumb, sticking them in an album, writing all the names, places and dates underneath.
I even miss running out of film...
I'll get me dusty old anorak...

I think it is fair enough if you don't watch TV for any reason other than feeling superior, but often the tone in posts gives the impression that the poster is above watching TV because only the uneducated masses watch TV.

I don't watch TV every evening, but I would love to know what people who have never got any free times in the evening do.

I'll caveat this by saying that I don't have any DC currently living at home. DD is a student and is independent so no child related admin required. I am also retired and can get a lot of stuff done during the day.

For me, growing up tv on holiday was never allowed and i never understood why or thought it was fair. But as an adult I look back on those weeks, a total escape from normal life, with such happiness and its an escapism and protected time I emulate now when on holiday. Holidays don't feel like holidays when I'm watching the same stuff, browsing social media and talking to people back home. Instead I'm fully immersed in the environment and people I'm with and fully switch off in a way I never do at home.

Well personally I have 3 kids at home, one of whom is disabled. We get in, I cook, we eat, I bath him, take care of all his care needs while also looking after my other 2 children, helping with homework, getting their stuff ready for the next day etc. The two older children are in bed for 8.30pm, my younger disabled child settles at around 10pm. I come down and then chat to my DH/debrief on what sort of day DS had had (he does all the chores while I’m putting DS to bed), read, crochet or whatever I fancy. Bed at 11pm, up multiple times in the night with DS then start our day around 6am.
If I wanted to watch TV in that hour then I would, but I generally don’t. Normal life is chaotic and busy and that hour of the day is my only chance for some peace and quiet.

Your holiday, your choice.

I do find it strange when people want to watch television when they are away. You can do that at home, so why not save yourself a lot of money and watch television at home instead of going on holiday?

Do you say the same thing about people who read in their downtime on holiday? You can do that at home as well. What about someone who does a bit of cross-stitch for an hour in the evening? Or has a relaxing bath before bed with a cold drink and Radio 4? They could do those things at home, too, but I bet you don't sneer at them for doing those things in the evening after a day of sightseeing/walking/swimming/whatever.

there are obviously people who think the latest episode of Coronation Street (or whatever it is) is more compelling than enjoying the new and beautiful environment they have chosen and paid to be in

Or perhaps they've been out all day enjoying the 'new and beautiful environment' and are now relaxing for an hour before/after they have dinner. Nobody is going to be out and exploring during every daylight hour.

Do you always assume the two-second snapshot you see of what someone's doing is all they ever do? Or is it only when the thing you see them doing is something you think is a bit low-brow?

That's fine, but the OP isn't asking 'Do you watch telly on holiday?'

She's asking 'Why do people get sanctimonious about other people doing it.

Because people enjoy looking down on and feeling superior to other people.

We've not long come back from France. We had very busy days out sight seeing and swimming etc. We would cook in the evenings, then catch up with some box sets on netflix.