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Charlottechicken

TV or not TV, that is the Question!

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I don't think anyone is saying either way is right or wrong, just commenting on own experiences.

 

Personally I fall between the two. We do have a huge plasma screen, and I love to watch it - when there is something good on! I do worry that there is such a lot of rubbish on but it is too easy to get absorbed into TV and forget about real life (and I mean ME there!) If I don't switch it on then I don't miss it. For me, it is about a balance - there is also a lot of useful stuff there, and I agree, I've learnt a lot from it. And certainly, for the kids, a lot of our most stimulating and educational discussions have originated from something seen on TV! 8)

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If you have it on all the time, whether you're watching or not and tend to view the next programme and the next etc, then perhaps you need to review your life-style.

 

I feel my comments aren't welcome because I don't agree with everyone else, I thought it was a balanced discussion.

 

I think I came across rather haughtily in my post, chocchick :oops::oops:. I tend to use my telly for education because that is how I choose to use it. It is a form of entertainment after all and if that is how you use it then that's OK, and also your choice. Sometimes I find it easier to watch tv before I go to bed rather than read a magazine because it is easier on the eyes, so like you I can fall asleep in front of it too! I have to say my television is probably on for two hours a day, as I like to watch the news in the morning before I go to work, and then in the evening I like to wind down in front of the TV, and I have it on in the background sometimes too, especially whilst on the forum :roll: . My favourite programme at the moment is '7 ages of Rock' on Saturdays!

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If you have it on all the time, whether you're watching or not and tend to view the next programme and the next etc, then perhaps you need to review your life-style.

 

I feel my comments aren't welcome because I don't agree with everyone else, I thought it was a balanced discussion.

 

Chocchick, I am so sorry. I really didn't mean to upset you or anyone else (I think your post came after mine). What anyone does in their home is entirely up to them and I am not at all judgemental, really I'm not. I can be outspoken and I often have strong opinions, but they are mine and I don't try to impose them on anyone else. I'm also not very good at expressing myself accurately, so it often comes out wrong!

 

This is a discussion and an interesting one, because it is always interesting to hear how other people tackle minor details in their lives. I'd like to know why you have the television on all the time - is it because that's what you're used to or because it's comforting to have the voices in the house or because there is a lot to interest you? I have the television on a lot actually, I find it very difficult to stick at a job because I get bored. I don't find the radio as helpful as the television. So if I'm washing up or cooking I will have a TV on in the kitchen - Jeremy Kyle, This morning, Loose Women, Countdown, Deal or no deal, Richard and Judy - or similar. I spend a lot of my time on my own and I find a lot of these programmes engaging without being totally absorbing. But I would never leave it on if I wasn't in the same room.

 

Like Claret, I watch recorded stuff while I'm ironing. For me this is the best and quickest way to relax and I really enjoy it!

 

I suspect that there are many others who use the television in a similar way to you who have decided not to join the discussion. So maybe it has seemed unbalanced. You are the brave one! Defend your corner and please don't feel bad. I am really sorry to have upset you. :(

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If you have it on all the time, whether you're watching or not and tend to view the next programme and the next etc, then perhaps you need to review your life-style.

 

Ginette, your comment made me laugh as it just summed up my sister in law! I love her to bits and she knows I think she's crazy (as she does me!) but she will walk into the room whilst people are watching TV, put it onto her favourite channel, turn up the volume and then walk out again! :evil: She does it every time and it drives the family bananas. She's the first one to turn the TV on in the morning for the kids (I leave it off until I'm desperate!) and she leaves it on even when she's out of the room. BUT I can understand why she does it, it's her company, and for her, when at home with young children, it was the nearest she had to an adult voice for a while. Now it's just an annoying habit that we tease her about. :lol:

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I'm sure there is room for both sides in this debate; lots of tv is educational, and I am not a purist, sometimes I just need to lie on the sofa and be entertained, and TV does that magnificently.

 

I also think of some of the things I would have missed seeing without a TV - one that stands out in my mind is Kelly Holmes winning her gold medal, I will never forget the look on her face! I've just watched Springwatch tonight, and I wouldn't miss the final of The Apprentice for anything. And as several people have said, it's great for getting the ironing done. (I find a glash of wine helps too :wink: )

 

Life is short though, and I don't think when I'm 90 and in my rocking-chair that I'm going to say 'I wish I'd watched East Enders every night' :lol: I'm really interested at the variety of views on here. Maybe we should start a poll - how many TVs do you have?!

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Our children have tv's in their rooms, and in the old house they would have been on most days, but since we moved, they've not even been connected to the aerial yet!

 

We had a neighbour, many years ago now, who didn't have a tv, and she was constantly hounded by the tv licensing people, until she asked them to show her their scanner in their van. Of course, there isn't a scanner, they go to every address in britain that doesn't have a license, becasue they simply can't believe that anyone would not have a tv. :roll:

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If you have it on all the time, whether you're watching or not and tend to view the next programme and the next etc, then perhaps you need to review your life-style.

 

I feel my comments aren't welcome because I don't agree with everyone else, I thought it was a balanced discussion.

 

Looking at the time of posting, I should imagine that Ginette was writing her reply as you posted CC, and did not aim this directly at you :? .

 

I love my TV - and I watch more since i was laid up with my leg in plaster :lol: (Yes, I know that was 4 years ago :wink: ) Sometimes i watch rubbish as i can cut off from reality - mostly I choose what to watch and will record it to watch later. Sometimes I record rubbish! I don't feel the need to defend myself anymore - i used to think i did :wink:

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I stopped leaving our on standby a while back for 2 reasons:

 

1. I came to realise that it was a bit wasteful.

 

2. My pal Christine left hers on standby overnight and it burst into flames!

 

The house was destroyed.

 

If they hadn't had a smoke alarm they would be no more. I don't risk it now.

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Mine is turned off at the plug too Egluntine - most of the time.

 

Phil has 3 TVs at his house; one in his studio where he works, one downstairs and one in his bedroom. He will often have at least two of them on at the same time because he likes the background noise like many other people. I have to say that he wouldn't get away with that in my house; I have to watch the pennies very closely and nothing stays plugged in or switched on if it's not being used.

 

Me? I listen to the radio in the morning for the news and some music while I get ready, I listen to Radio 2, Rosie listens to Core. I read the paper for more detailed news, but that's all there's time for. Rosie sometimes watches a nature programme when she's dressed before we leave for school. In the evening, she helps me cook, or garden or we do her homework together.

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When we moved into this house (May 2006) we could only get BBC1 and 2 and a dodgy ITV. The tv was off for 3 months as the picture was so bad it drove me nuts!

We then got sky and the tv is always on! :roll:

 

OH turns it on in the morning and it stays on most of the day, when we are here. I rarely watch tv and could happily live without it. I would miss CSI and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstal, 'good life' progs though!

 

(in fairness i do have most of them on DVD, to watch on my laptop :oops: )

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Ours was packed in a box for 3 months while I had some building work done downstairs, after an initial whinge from Rosie, it wasn't really missed. We don't have satelite, a friend gave us a freeview box a while ago, but it rarely gets used.

 

It's interesting how different people use their TV for different reasons.

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we have 2 tv's and couldnt manage without either :oops: . Couldnt bear to miss the football........nothing worse than listening to a match on the radio!!

 

I dont watch any soaps though, havent done for years. We mostly watch sport/news/travel programmes/wildlife/jimmys farm & river cottage type programmes.

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