Alien a nation

For the first few weeks I found it a little difficult to settle into my new workplace, Its Nothing to do with the actual work more to do with people. PEOPLE are difficult. The difficulties arose more in the break-room.
I am not used to keeping my mouth shut I like to be honest and make sure people know exactly where I stand on issues. One particular situation reared up when I revealed to co-workers I don't watch T.V "But.. I couldn't live without Television! What do you do?" One colleague retorted, I replied that that reaction is common and it almost seems like an addiction, I may point out that here ends the politeness and logic of the conversation.
This simple comment had upset everyone in the room, One colleague stormed out with the phrase "Alcohol and Drugs are addictions!" followed by another co-worker sprouting the unwittingly reinforcing statement "Saying T.V is an addiction is like saying drinking water and eating food is an addiction"
The end statement screamed out to me like a lonely Mars bar left on a bench still in its wrapper and once again I couldn't contain my disbelief "Are you comparing T.V to a fundamental necessity for human life?"
I didn't get answer, nor win any friends. Back to the Internets for me.