TV
Not turning the TV off when someone comes round to your house. My in-laws are guilty of this - they don't like me much because they think I'm a bit snobby, but it's ok because I think they're a bit common*, so it all works out in the end.

It's ok to watch tv when people are visiting, but only if you've talked to them a bit first and you've all agreed to watch the programme. There's nothing more common than just leaving the tv on all day and ignoring your guests.

* as in "I'm just going to Tescos and then I'm going to see Nan". They also don't eat at the table - they don't *have* a table.
( Peapod Has returned to the fold on, Sat 18 Oct 2008, 11:38, 3 replies)

Well
People should not just turn up and interrupt your telly watching!
(plonker, Sat 18 Oct 2008, 13:39, closed)

I entirely agree
with this. It's incredibly rude.

Some friends of mine have a large living room that has been constructed out of two rooms by knocking a wall through.

Both rooms always have a television on, sometimes with different programs. Once I turned one television off, asked them what they had been watching. Neither of them had a clue what the program was about.

They have kids too. I was amazed when, while having a conversation with the mother, she suddenly turned round and shouted 'put them down!'. She had heard the sound of one of the kids picking up a box of matches (she smokes.). This was with two televisions blaring away, other kids screaming etc.

The ability to ignore and hear though the television audio is quite astonishing. I don't have this ability, so find the television distracting and makes conversation difficult.
(RIS, Sat 18 Oct 2008, 14:39, closed)

It does make conversation difficult
I'm glad you agree with me!
( Peapod Has returned to the fold on, Sat 18 Oct 2008, 17:25, closed)