when you visit friends is the tv usually on?

Not just the Telly but the Internet as well. I feel it's eroding some of our communication skills, though there are extremities. As for TV, I think everyone just likes to come home from a hard day's work and just shut off the brain and soak in the idiot box.

yes the TV is on but we dun mind, we watch TV together. Some more we ever share DVD and movies.

Actually it depends on who is visiting and how close you are to the person who is visiting. The TV acts as a form of distraction for, like you mentioned, those awkward moments of silence. If you are close to the person you are visiting or who is visiting you, there will naturally be lots to talk about. Most times, when people are visiting you, the TV is on to entertain people whom you cannot give your attention to at the moment. One person can only pay attention to so many people... so unless everyone is involved in the discussion you are in, there are bound to be some of your guest that will be left out, especially if you are hosting a big party of sorts. The TV is a convenient way to keep them occupied while they wait their turn to be entertained by you. no?

Humm, I think watching TV is a good thing, sometimes it gives you something to talk about. Just like having music play in the background. It is relaxing to some folks. I know it is to me. Lol I was seeing this one guy, and he wanted my full attention, no tv or music.. Well it made me feel trapped. He said he wanted all my attention. It really put me on the spot, as far as how much you can talk about. It made me really uncomfortable. Needless to say I gave up on him.

I don't think so, since usually if the TV is on you'll still talk to each other during the shows, it beats the silences you mentioned though.

yes, always the tv open when i will visit my friends in their house.Because sometimes when we finish to talk for something, there is silences.But if with tv sometimes we put our attention on tv.

Yes, my friends either have the TV or some music on in the background. We don't usually stare at it unless we're watching a DVD but we still talk to each other when it's on.

ummm, i dun really go visiting friends or relative. we usually meet up outside for a meal or coffee and for friends and relatives who i'm not very close to, i won't even visit them so most of the time, if i do go visiting, the time is spent on catching up on life events. coz most prob we have not seen each other for a very long time.

Keep the tv on is good, you can still talk and many times can fid something to talk or laugh about. There is a habit of having the tv on so it is kind strange to have it off, everybody notices.