Sigh...

yeah people are veyr uneducated in this area. Only because media and other uneducated parents and such fill their heads with useless information about these beautiful creatures. Beagle is very right with people not seeing through the blindfold and only thinking of a "15 foot charles manson". But all we can do is try our best to educate them. In most cases it can be like trying to change someones religion. I dont' understand why its so serious.
I actually changed someones mind on this one time, when they had done the same thing. "OMG, you keep snakes in your house? You don't have kids, do you?" Well, it was a visit to the wifes friends house, and they were housing three pit bulls along with three children. So i just started to come across the same way about her dogs. And instead of it leading into a big animal argument, I educated her, and she educated me. And all was fine. She ended up coming over and handling hydra. It was amazing.

It can be done, but it is tough. Patience is key

I totally agree, Freak....Patience is the key. As much as it frustrates me to have people be so close-minded about our enjoyment of herps...it frustrates me at least as much to see fellow herp-lovers start railing at them and calling them "stupid" or cursing at them...whether to their face or behind their backs. That sort of attitude will never win anyone over.

Our next door neighbors are nice people their kids play with our kids and are our friends. The wife of the couple is terrified of snakes but she is not the hateful type of person she is nice about it even if she does not understand which is cool. The funniest part of it is she raises gerbils :lol:.

Its the way of the world! I have come to accept it and not pay any heed. :)

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Originally Posted by JLC

it frustrates me at least as much to see fellow herp-lovers start railing at them and calling them "stupid" or cursing at them...whether to their face or behind their backs. That sort of attitude will never win anyone over.

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Was this comment directed at me? Because with the girl I was talking about, I didn't call her stupid, her friend did, and I certainly didn't curse at anyone. I just thought it was mean for her to say she would chop up a snake when she knew that I had one, and I told her so, and pointed out that mice don't eat snakes. That was it.

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Originally Posted by gen

Was this comment directed at me? Because with the girl I was talking about, I didn't call her stupid, her friend did, and I certainly didn't curse at anyone. I just thought it was mean for her to say she would chop up a snake when she knew that I had one, and I told her so, and pointed out that mice don't eat snakes. That was it.

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Ohhhh no no no.....That comment WAS stupid! I'm very sorry that I may have implied that you fit into this category. I haven't seen too much of this attitude here, but certainly on other forums, there are a lot of hotheads who who utterly revile anyone that doesn't take their viewpoint and love their animals...and I fear that people who do that do as much harm to the acceptance of our hobby as the newsmedia's sensational horror stories.

Alright, cool. Just making sure. :)

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and I fear that people who do that do as much harm to the acceptance of our hobby as the newsmedia's sensational horror stories.

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Very very very true

i have to sit at work all day listening to my boss tell me he wants to make boots out of my snakes. talk about pissing somebody off.

LOL...There are definitely jerks on both sides of the issue, Will. And there are times when someone may deserve a scathing reply. Tell him he can make boots out of your snakes the day you come to work wearing a coat made from his dog(cat...whatever).