Let's be honest. None of us is a Saint. There must be things in life which irritate us beyond words and make us less than Saints.
For me, it is people talking whilst watching TV. I could be sitting there quietly watching something serious about the downturn in the economy when someone would say, "we used to have a car like this one on TV!" Now I tell you, how has this piece of information enhanced my life or improved my understanding of what is a complex subject being explained so clearly and succinctly by this TV expert?
It is even worse when the sideline comment is in the form of a question. For example the TV program would mention Birmingham and someone would say, "Did you know that at university I had a friend from Birmingham? Julie ... do you remember her?"
Now do you think I care whether Julie, whoever she is or was, came from Birmingham or from anywhere else? Whilst trying politely to answer the inane question I have missed the next bit about who scored at football and how.
In order to stop such interruptions whilst TV viewing is in progress I have put forward some modest suggestions to be adhered to by one and all:
Whilst the TV is on there will be no talking or interruptions whatsoever. If you have something to say, or a question to ask, just write it down on a piece of paper and we will discuss it later at an appropriate time prearranged for this specific purpose.
TV viewing is no different to being in the cinema. You would not expect people to discuss their friend from Birmingham at the cinema and disturb everyone else; so why do it when the TV is on? People usually keep quiet at the cinema. That is unless they are sitting in the back row at the movies. Since we do not have a back row at home we will remain quiet when the TV is on.
Should anyone wish to consume potato chips, biscuits, corn flakes or anything else of a crunchy nature they will do so quietly by placing the potato chip in their mouth and softening it until fully moist and then swallowing it.
Needless to say, before I could continue with my list of perfectly reasonable suggestions they were met with the silent treatment. Dear Lord ... did I get the silent treatment; which lasted for an eternity and a half.
I will never understand women.
So tell us, what does irritate you in life? And what suggestions have you put forward to remedy the situation?
Well NOW--You did ASK for silence!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I know, Lulu. But that was silence with retribution.
DeleteHey ... that's a nice film title. "Silence with Retribution". The plot of the film would be the story of my life.
God bless you, Lulu.
Whatever the problem sometimes it's better to be quiet...Wishing you well!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Cathy. I'll add that to my list. They can keep their problems quiet until they have resolved them. Great idea.
DeleteGod bless you.
LOL... my husband could have written this missive! A friend asked if we were having a super bowl party, to which Joe replied... NO. I want to watch the game, not listen to people talking. Just for the record, I am in 90% agreement with you both!
ReplyDeleteThank you Terri. If TV was meant to be spoken over they would have made silent films.
DeleteGod bless you and your family.
That bugs me, too, Victor. And what I don't understand is how my MIL will talk OVER what she claims to be a favorite show. If I wish to say something to someone while watching TV, I wait until the commercials.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I know exactly what you say, Martha. Not only do they talk when the film/news/football is on; but when the commercials come on they go out to make a cup of tea.
DeleteGod bless you and yours.
We don't have a TV so that isn't a problem for me. When I'm reading, that's a different story but usually I'll just put the bookmark in, close the book and listen to what's being said. It's just easier to do that then try to continue reading and get aggravated. It took me a while to learn that process. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
With me, when I am reading a book, I find that I have read the same sentence a million times because of the background chatter and questions. To me, a book is like a TV with subtitles on. People should be quiet when I am reading, either from the page or from the screen.
DeleteWishing you a great time, Bill. God bless.
Victor . . . one of the many differences between men and women. :) We women have twice as many words allotted to us in a given day as you menfolk.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I will add that my youngest son is the one I have to shush when we're watching a movie at home. We don't watch much television. But I can already tell you that, when we watch the Super Bowl on Sunday he will be my play-by-play commentator. Whether or not I want it. ;0 So, I'll be reminding him (in the nicest way possible) that I want to hear the commentators on television.
I've learned not to talk with my husband until the commercials come on. Life's a lot nicer that way.
Yes I agree Jeanne. Women do have twice as many words allotted to them than men. This is because men tend not to listen. I have been told many times to take the trash trolley out on a Wednesday. I don't see the point really. As soon as it is emptied the family fills it up again. And I've been told to paint the garden fence and gate, and to fix the shelf, and to ...
DeleteGod bless all women, and may they leave their menfolk in peace.
Oh I must admit that I do talk while watching television and do drive my husband crazy. : )
ReplyDeleteThe thing that annoys me most is people on their phones while driving or when with others.
I agree with you about using the phone whilst driving. Here in the UK it is against the law to use the phone whilst driving.
DeleteGod bless you and yours, Happyone.
If someone starts talking while I'm watching TV, I push the pause button, even if it's live so I don't miss anything :) By biggest irritant is inconsiderate people. Have a great weekend :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
Hi Lisa,
DeleteWe had an old lady visiting. We pressed the pause button and she asked what had happened. We explained that with new TVs you can pause the film, then pick up again from where you stopped. She said, "How about the other people?" We asked, "What other people?" She continued, "All the other people in town watching the TV. Has their TV stopped as well?"
God bless.
Mea culpa. 😖 Please indeed pray for me. My husband thanks you in advance. Love your blog btw.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting me Joelle. Please return soon.
DeleteContinuing to pray for you all. God bless.