Do you leave the TV on for background noise?

[PawsForTea]

Do you only put the tv on if you're going to sit and watch it or do you leave it on for background noise while you work or do housework etc?

No. Generally listen to music if I'm not specifically watching something.

DH and I both WFH.
He will have the TV on in the background, whereas I turn it off unless I'm not working and watching it.

My DP does this and its irritating. Much like " i cant sleep unless the light is on as i don't like the dark '
Too much stimuli

No I hate that.

I do, the background noise helps with my tinnitus and I feel like I have company 😊

No, I absolutely hate a TV on with the sound up drivelling mindlessly in the background.

I enjoy quiet so never have TV on unless watching.

We sometimes leave ot on for background noise for the dog. Never for us.

Isn't this what radio is for?

Yes, all the time. DH is just as bad too. 😁

Can't remember when I last listened to the radio except very occasionally in the car.

No never! Radio or video playlist, depending on mood!

I don’t have it on unless I want to watch something, DH has it on all day when he’s off work, it drives me mad.

I don't really spend much time in the living room unless it's to watch TV so no. Usually silence or occasionally music/podcast. DH likes having music or the radio blaring all the time and it does my head in. Fortunately neither of us WFH.

Never. I’d find it very aggravating. I often walk into my parents house to find the radio on at full volume in the kitchen, the TV on at full volume volume in the living room, and both parents in a different room altogether, or out in the garden, not listening to or watching either.

I don’t have a ‘background’ mode. If I’m watching tv, I’m watching it. If I’m listening to the radio or music or a podcast, I’m listening to it.

No, my mum always said this was 'common' and it's stuck with me 😁

No! I like silence (although I can currently here my neighbour playing the piano, which is beautiful). I'll occasionally listen to podcasts while I'm cleaning but otherwise just glorious, blissful silence!

No, never-though I do occasionally fall asleep while watching it.

No, it's a really awful, low intelligence habit. Radio in the background is fine but tv should be on only when you wish to watch something.

Oh God, no. It's on when I'm watching something and only then.

Yes. I hate a quiet house. Plus if I'm home I dip in and out watching it.

Why is it a low intelligence habit?

Common and a low intelligent habit for living a different life to the superior of MN?

Fuck off with those snotty judgements.

It’s definitely only done in homes where there’s little conversation and low engagement with each other. We had one friend who did this - he was pretty bright but no conversation. The picture draws your attention and stifles conversation even if it is silent. When there are guests it signals you prefer the tv to talking to them. It’s rude. I advocate watching what you want and then turning it off! Saves electricity and who needs background pictures or sound? Completely unnecessary.

Not the TV usually, but I live alone and I often carry my tablet around with me and put my favourite sitcoms on as background listening when I’m doing work, or housework, or doing my makeup, or eating a meal etc. If not a TV show then it’s a podcast or music or TikTok live, but usually TV. I have about ten of my favourite shows on a constant loop. At the moment it’s Men Behaving Badly.

It’s not a good habit I don’t think. I find it very hard to sit in silence nowadays, I need constant background noise. I blame the internet for my need to be constantly entertained!

I have it on usually tuned to a news or music channel. If I'm expecting a courier with a parcel I turn it off so I don't miss the delivery. If I'm not expecting anyone I don't care if I miss people. They can bugger off.