What to say to family and friends

So while at thanksgiving all my relatives asked me if I still had my snakes when I told them yes they asked why in a way that made me somewhat offended. and kinda caught me off gard but I explaind how I've always loved snakes and have always wanted one. But the way they responded makes me think they still don't get it.

So jw when all your friends and family ask that question and act in such away what do you all say?

Well some of my family and friends don't agree with it. I feel like that's their problem. My moms came to visit and she claims she don't like snakes but want to see my new ones. And says she going to call the pet people on me. Then ask what kind of mice/rat i feed em and when i tell her they say eww. As long as i live in my own place i can care less what somebody thinks. That's just me though :rage::rage::rage:

I know what you mean when you say "Caught me off guard."
Im appalled for a few seconds every time someone says something like that!

It doesn't really bother me when they don't "get it." I'm lucky in that my mom and sister think they are cool...but my brother and his wife are more like, "Seriously? Eww!" ... :rolleyes: ... And my husband just tolerates them. He doesn't "get it" either...but he loves me anyhow.

And that's the key. I love my friends and family for who they are...not because they agree with or enjoy everything I do. I won't change my passion for snakes just because they don't get it...and on the same point, I don't expect them to suddenly "get it" and change their way of thinking just because I want them to.

If someone is open to hearing why I like them so much, I'm very happy to explain. But I don't force it on anyhow. If someone gets a bit uppity or snooty about my having snakes...I just shrug it off and think to myself how sad it is that they lose out on so much by being so closed minded.

Sad to say, the majority of people, including friends and family, don't get it.

Reactions range from, ' Why would you want to own a snake ?" To "I am NEVER coming to your house again!" To the popular, " Don't you know it's going to eat you/your children in your sleep?"

For those who show gentle dislike and/or mild curiosity, I tell them a bit about the snakes as pets, and offer to introduce them to one.

Those who show violent dislike, I tell them I will miss them not coming to visit, but just for reference the snakes stay safe in tubs and are not seen unless I get them out.

For the ridiculous few who insist they will eat me/my kids. I shake my head and say, that is just about as likely as Bigfoot living in my garage! There isn't a snake on earth big enough to eat an adult human, and even if there were one that big, the odds of it happening are so slim, I'd be more likely to win the Missouri lottery, Powerball lottery, and at slots on the Casino Queen all in the same night!

And if they drag out that tired news story of the snake killing the little girl, I tell them it was proven the girl was abused by her parents, and the snake had nothing to do with her death. Of course, that doesn't make for good ratings like blaming the snake does, but I invite them to look it up.

Gale

When me and my gf were at thanksgiving the snake subject was also brought up

Them: You still hoarding snakes?

Me: No i collect them

Them: 12 is hoarding

Me: 2 dogs is hoarding

Them: Your off your rocker

Me: My 12 snakes require food once a week, water every 2 days, Poop/pee cleaned up every what 2 weeks?, Dont need to ever be held.

Me: You dogs need fed, water, cleaned up after, played with EVERY DAY and require A LOT more space then my 12 snakes

Them: Thats comparing apples to oranges.

Ehh i just ask them if they own cats or dogs and the usualy response is yes. Then i ask them what's the difference between owning a cat or snake and usually they just shrug it off and continue on their way. If your that close minded to not even be open to different pets than the normal cat or dog, that's your fault.

Most of my family, and friends have accepted my love of reptiles. I have owned snakes, and such on and off all of my life. There are a few friends that still refuse to enter my house because of my snakes though. That is just to bad for them, and I will sure miss them, oh wait no I won't.

I have family members that just about faint at the mention of the word snake, but if they ask me about them I explain them in a comical way get them laughing as I start explaining the genetics of this or that and then they will tend to be inquisitive and lighten up a lil

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JLC

It doesn't really bother me when they don't "get it." I'm lucky in that my mom and sister think they are cool...but my brother and his wife are more like, "Seriously? Eww!" ... :rolleyes: ... And my husband just tolerates them. He doesn't "get it" either...but he loves me anyhow.

And that's the key. I love my friends and family for who they are...not because they agree with or enjoy everything I do. I won't change my passion for snakes just because they don't get it...and on the same point, I don't expect them to suddenly "get it" and change their way of thinking just because I want them to.

If someone is open to hearing why I like them so much, I'm very happy to explain. But I don't force it on anyhow. If someone gets a bit uppity or snooty about my having snakes...I just shrug it off and think to myself how sad it is that they lose out on so much by being so closed minded.

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I was going to reply but you took the words right out of my mouth!