Negative or ignorant comments because you have snakes?

[prettyballsy]

So at our weekly work staffing (social workers, therapists around the table) the supervisor is talking about a terrible home situation they had to remove a child from. The short conversation went something like this:

Her: "....and they have snakes!"

Me: "Wait a minute! I have snakes!"

Her: "Yeah but they have lizards and stuff."

Me: "I have lizards and stuff!"

Other co-worker: "Soooo, moving on....."

Bringing home garter snakes and copper bellies was such a part of my childhood I am forever brought up short by this kind of thing. I've been asked not to talk about my snakes in front of one co-worker because it bothers her so much. I don't get it.

[carlson]

Yeah I deal with that alot from people at school and work not understanding or the worst as a single guy bringing a girl home having her see my snakes and rats and hear I want more then more or less them being scared off by it it sucks but what can you do I'm not changing what I like for anyone. I work wit the local rescue squad and some of them treat all snakes as the most deadly things its kinda sad watching big rescue workers get jumpy over a ball

[prettyballsy]

Right? I really didn't take my co-workers reaction to overhearing me talk about my snakes seriously. My first two were rescues and I was pretty excited about how they were coming along, so I commented that they were so gentle, come right out to you when you open the tank, "sweet as puppies". Yeah, not a good idea. She was ridiculously offended for dog owners everywhere. My two Great Danes couldn't redeem me

[futurebpowner]

I understand. I work at a vet, and I only have a small handful of coworkers that are ok or like reptiles. Some hear I have a snake, and freak out saying that their gonna eat my animals, and that their gross and scary. They also try to lecture me about taking wild animals out of their natural environment. I then ask if any have rabbits, birds, hamsters, etc. I try to educate them as best as I can, but there is only so much someone can do. I have converted my roommates and their parents somewhat. One of my roommates is just OK with them, and the other really wants a bearded dragon, and shes LOVES my snake. So I look at it as a success.

[BrandiR]

I've never been confronted with this. If I ever am, I won't really be able to complain because I have the same reaction to people who brag about how many kids they have. I'm like, "NINE? But. Why?"

[prettyballsy]

I agree. One person at a time! I live way up north in a one stoplight town so we don't have much of a herp society or anything like that, but I'm hoping I'll meet some local snake lovers when I go to this year's reptile show in Madison. It's a long haul for me but you never know. Why try to ease new friends into the fact I love snakes when I can make new friends who love snakes too

Plus the fact that my first two were rescues (along with two beardies) and the terrible condition they were in has brought to my attention how many people think its ok to treat a reptile with indifference while doting on their warm-blooded pets. The person who ran the local herp society became very ill years ago and its disbanded as far as I know, though he's still an amazing resource. It would be nice to get something going again and help educate others! On the other hand, I'd like to breed next year and I have no interest in advertising that fact in my small town. Its frustrating

[barbie.dragon]

Yeah I get some rude comments but all I do is throw a bunch of scientific facts about whatever snarky comment they make and they shut up very quickly. Facts and knowledge quickly slays the beast of ignorance

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[BHReptiles]

I am confronted with this daily! I live with my grandparents while I'm in nursing school. When I moved in, they said I had to get rid of my cat because of allergies...so I told her if the cat goes, the snakes stay. I didn't budge and got my way. They still don't like the idea that I have snakes, but when they found out that my new rack (hopefully it'll be in next week!) has a locking mechanism, they were a little more accepting. My grandfather thinks it's a waste of time and money (but that's his opinion on all pets...even my fish and two dogs) and he's a hardcore Christian and thinks snakes are the devil's doing (even when I tell him that technically he should love all God's creatures and God made snakes - no, I'm not religious but I can argue my point).

And then there's nursing school...some of my friends are really into my snakes and live to see pictures. Usually they are interested in finding out why a young woman owns so many snakes and wants more. But then there are some who don't want to hear about them. I try my best to respect their wishes and not talk about them while they are around, but when they facebook message me and tell me that my cover photo (of my lesser) and my snake album freak her out and that I should take them down, I politely tell her to unfriend me or don't look at them. After all, my snakes are a huge part of my life. I can respect someone's opinion about them, but I'm not going to bend my life around other people who are just ignorant.

I mean, I am deathly afraid of spiders (not the morph...the actual 8 legged thing), flying bugs with stingers (wasps, bees, hornets, etc.), 18 wheelers, and the ocean. But do I ask you to give up your pet spider, tell all the bugs to get out of my bubble, ask all the 18 wheelers to get off the road while I'm on it, or tell the ocean to bug off. No. I simply respect that they are there and choose not to interact with them if I can help it.

-stepping off the soapbox now-

[Argentra]

Or it at least drives those who possess it away from you. I wish facts always slew that beast outright...

I've dealt with my fair share of morons and ignorant innocents alike. Not being able to drive means I have to transport my critters by bus, and I always get asked 'what's in the box?' (the snakes transport boxes are the blue rubbermaid tubs with vent holes). The answer brings everything from 'are they poisonous?' to 'OMG they'll get out and kill you all!'. But, being a natural educator and pet consultant, I have no qualms about feeding the facts. These either bring a look of enlightenment and more questions, my preferred response, or some disgusted expression and the person moving away...which I accept but dislike. Similar things happen when I have my BTS out in his carrier, so it's not just snakes that bring those stupid comments.
But yes, the best defense is the facts. Whether it educates or just gets the morons to leave you alone...it works.

[carlson]

Hey prettyballsy where you live I'm up north too northern Minnesota in the twin ports now tho duluth not superior