How do I make people stop being afraid?

[Marrissa]

I remember when I first got those phobic and mean reactions from people about my snakes and hobby, it really bothered me. It took me a bit to realize the best way to be an advocate from day to day, is to just lead by example. My jobs know me as the snake lady and the horse lady, but mainly snake lady. I have people I've never told about my snakes at work come up and ask me questions all the time. Pretty much everyone at both jobs that knows I have snakes has eventually asked questions about them and answering them is a good opportunity to give them real information and open up their minds a little. I've gotten people from being afraid of snakes to holding them this way. I never force or pressure anyone though.

[stloria]

My mother used Godzilla as a reference to Blue tongue skinks when I wanted one I understand the rage. I don't think I read past the first page of posts and sorry to be ignorant but I feel the first page.

Thank you

[stloria]

I remember when I first got those phobic and mean reactions from people about my snakes and hobby, it really bothered me. It took me a bit to realize the best way to be an advocate from day to day, is to just lead by example. My jobs know me as the snake lady and the horse lady, but mainly snake lady. I have people I've never told about my snakes at work come up and ask me questions all the time. Pretty much everyone at both jobs that knows I have snakes has eventually asked questions about them and answering them is a good opportunity to give them real information and open up their minds a little. I've gotten people from being afraid of snakes to holding them this way. I never force or pressure anyone though.

I think that's what it was. It was the first real "OMG NO EVIL!!!!" reaction that we got, and it bothered me bad. Now I just ignore it. I certainly don't force or pressure, because I know how *I* would be in that situation, and a good way to get bitten is to be unsure around the animal. None of mine have bitten (yet), but I don't want it to be on someone who is already skittish. Certain people want me to bring one of the boys around, certain people ask about them, and certain people are becoming more open. Others, well, I just leave it alone. No sense in getting more worked up.
Thank you

[Miranda2]

My mom was scared of snakes(not terrified just scared) until I introduced her to a hatchling cornsnake.It was the very first snake she had ever held in her life and she was 60. Now she is not scared at all though wont hold anything bigger then a cornsnake.
My sons work with a woman that is terrified of even talking about snakes, I would hate to be that afraid of anything.

[stloria]

My mom was scared of snakes(not terrified just scared) until I introduced her to a hatchling cornsnake.It was the very first snake she had ever held in her life and she was 60. Now she is not scared at all though wont hold anything bigger then a cornsnake.
My sons work with a woman that is terrified of even talking about snakes, I would hate to be that afraid of anything.

My mom is getting closer to being ok, but I'm not going to force her. She'll come around, hopefully. If not, then at least I don't have to worry about surprise visits!

I'm close to being that afraid of spiders... close, but not that bad.