Re: what is with desis
You can get rubber grip holders for remotes, which maybe a better alternative to plastic.
I have seen pretty much everything from plastic wrapped/bubble wrapped remote controls, dining chairs to plastic covered decoration pieces.
Re: what is with desis
i hate those rubber grip covers. they get all sticky an gross aftre a while.
Re: what is with desis
I have seen few people useing sheet or towel on their carpet and sofas
Re: what is with desis
Both my MIL and mom use sheets on sofas in the drawing room which are obviously removed when guests are expected. In their defense it is VERY dusty back home, a hideous job to keep the sofa cloth free of dust all the time and the sofa cloth starts to fade away pretty soon.
Re: what is with desis
xeno- 
plastic covered remote reminds me of my hubby
Re: what is with desis
hey there is no harm or ridiculous about wraping your remote in plastic cover or spreading a plastic sheet on coffee table. Its rather very rational. Imgine while kneading the dough if you need to change the channel or adjust the volume or switch off the tv etc, how you are going to touch that remote with those hands ? If you do, no doubt that you will leave some aata on remote. I will hate to see the remote so ugly looking. I can chnage the plastic wrap whenever the first one becomes dirty looking.
Same goes for the table covers. Plastic is easy to clean and wash. Rubbing it with a wet piece of cloth you can make it shine. Which you cannot do with a wooden surface. First you cannot keep it clean for long, no way… impossible. The dust and food particles are going to sit in the small cracks and decay there, ultimately making your brown table look black… yuck.. no matter how hard you try to keep them clean.
Plastic covering is imp in homes where there are kids. Okay I agree you cant plastic cover the carpets, thats a lil too much but you can spread a plastic sheet in kids playing area only. Once they are done with playing , remove the toys and fold the sheet.
Plastic on beds as maroush said… I have never heard and seen that. Thats surely ridiculous. But Maroush what was your age when you went to those relative’s home? 
Anyways in most of the cases, there is nothing wrong using plastic sheets 
Re: what is with desis
I think its to protect their sofas and remotes and carpets from everyday grime and grit.
Regardless, I think its aweful and I have to say...my mom does it too. Her chairs still have the plastic on them. I did convince her to get fabric slip covers for the sofas though and she caved in after ages of my friends coming over and slipping and sliding all over those sofas.
Yeah, one of my hubby's uncles has plastic on all his furniture---couch, dining room chairs, etc.---and I think it looks really super tacky. I don't think they've ever heard of Scotchgard.