TV on or off with visitors

mrcow

Off

Unless they've specifically come round to watch a movie with me

ostrichnomore_2

Interesting.

It seems most people find it rude, and a couple of people think it creates a nicer atmosphere.

I only asked really as I knew that every time we used to visit any of my ex's family/friends, the first thing they would do when we arrived was put the TV on! But they seemed to see this as the hospitable thing to do, so I put it down to a cultural difference, lots of their 'rules' for guests were a bit different to UK ones.

I didn't know anyone else who would put/have TV on, with the exception of family/longterm friends on long visits and there was something specific we all wanted to see.

Now I sometimes go to a house where they are sports mad and it's on constantly on a sports channel. Makes it difficult to have a conversation as I feel as though I'm interrupting, although it's not loud and they do talk, but a lot of the time are watching it. I find it really boring to watch. Their house, their rules, so not going to ask them to turn it off but puts me right off going over in future. I do find it rude and was wondering if it was just me.

Rev

Honestly. I never turn the telly off if its on and someone visits. And I don't know anyone who does. I've never had anyone I've visited then the TV off just because I'm there. What if people pop in unannounced? Which they often do.

I lower it or mute it if i'm having a conversation but I don't turn it off.

I could only see myself doing this for a 'formal' visit and I can't say I get those so anyone who knows me well enough to visit my house would not expect me to stand to attention.

lostinrates

Rev wrote: »

Honestly. I never turn the telly off if its on and someone visits. And I don't know anyone who does. I've never had anyone I've visited then the TV off just because I'm there. What if people pop in unannounced? Which they often do.

I lower it or mute it if i'm having a conversation but I don't turn it off.

I could only see myself doing this for a 'formal' visit and I can't say I get those so anyone who knows me well enough to visit my house would not expect me to stand to attention.

Does your model of television take an awfully long time to shut down and wind back up again on their departure?

Rev

:rotfl:

lostinrates wrote: »

Does your model of television take an awfully long time to shut down and wind back up again on their departure?

No. I mean what if I pop into a friend and they're watching something. I don't expect them to turn the tv off.

sukysue

Off if visitors but on if family.

fashionlover10

If someone popped round unannounced I'd turn the tv off after I'd answered the door and invited them in. It wouldn't matter if I was watching something as I don't think anything on tv is important enough for me to not give my guest my full attention.

Goldiegirl

If it's friends round for a meal or drinks, then the TV would be off, unless they had come round to particularly watch something with us.

If someone had just popped in for a few minutes, I'd just turn the sound down.

When my parents and MIL were alive, because they would visit for longer, we'd generally watch TV together.

busiscoming2

We always turn it off when people come round and prefer it if people turn their's off when we visit them.

Exception is perhaps Xmas time when we all watch something together.

I personally hate it when you have to shout over the TV to talk to the hosts. We stayed with one set of relatives a few years ago and they turn their TV on when they get up and off at bedtime. It's there droning away when no on is watching it.

Rev

Thinking about it I'd find it strange of people turned the tv off when I visited. The people I visit and who visit me are friends. IE. nothing is formal. The telly is left on. They get offered a brew. If there's something interesting on. We watch it. If not we gab and the tv is ignored.

I don't understand why such importance is being placed on an object.

People must have thought me rude for years if that's the case. Good job I don't care.