Those darn Herper Haters...

Just be careful, all it takes is one mishap.

Luckily I haven't run into anyone who hates snakes. I've seen a few who are uncomfortable around em or are scared. I wish you luck bringing them to the RenFest. :rockon: I doubt I'd be brave enough to bring my girl out in what isn't exactly the most reptile friendly environment.

Aww hon, *hugs* I, as well as some others here on BP know how you feel.
Although with me, it's the other side of the fence. I am very much a God believing, bible reading, takin' my faith and beliefs seriously kind of woman and all of the "christains" think I am going to hell because I keep "the devil's serpents" in my home (and give them kisses). :rolleyes:
Oh, and that I TEACH my children that they are beautiful pieces of God's masterful artwork and that He loves them just as much as we do. :D

Yeppers, I'm condemned for sure.... I hope they have snakes in Hell... and tarantulas. :carrot:

Don't even give people like that the time of day. Ignorance runs amuk these days and people like that are fine examples of the ones "born every minute". ;)

Well it seems to me that if someone hates snakes because of the whole Eve and the apple deal, then I'd ask them if they disrespect their mother (she's after all a woman), refuse to eat apple pies (they are after all made of apples which MUST be a wicked fruit) and don't sit under a shade tree (bad trees that made apples and allowed a snake to be in one!). It's really just that ridiculous when you think about it.

As far as people being stupid about snakes, hon that won't change. People are people and all you can do is enjoy your snake, be a responsible owner and do what educating you feel you want or can do. Be very careful of the Renfest. While it's great to educate, your snake's needs come first. Big, crowded events with crazy temps may not be the best thing for the snake unless you make very special plans for it.

Wise words someone once shared with me. When somone says something rude, offensive, hurtful or just plain stupid to me, I remember it - "consider the source". Really helped me realize that most people are talking out of their butts and their opinion doesn't necessarily mean much nor should it affect my decisions or self-worth. :)

AHHH! highschool is so full of drama!!! You gotta believe that when you get out you'll laugh at the thought of highschool being "serious" and a "HUGE" part of your life. Most likely, 4 years after you graduate, you won't even know the same people you did in highschool. I'm at that mark right now, and only a few really tight friends still talk to eachother out of my whole class. Everyone moves on, and I found that anyone I hated or disliked me in highschool has matured and treats everyone with respect. Weird huh??? Its true, you wont even remember highschool. ;)

Ignore those people. You will learn as soon as you are out of h.s. the drama pretty much drops. Yes there is some drama in the real world, but nothing like there is in h.s. I too got picked on for wearing the clothes I did, owning pet rats, and believing in other things then most people believe in. I wasn't one of the "groupies" so that meant that "I was different". I had some really awesome friends and I'm still good friends with some of those people today. All I can say is, ignore those people who are picking on you. They must not think to highly of themselves because if they did they wouldn't be picking on you. Most people who pick on others only do so because they don't like themselves and by picking on someone else... it makes them feel bigger, stronger, better. In the end I think it only makes those kind of people look immature and weak. Hang with your friends, get though school and try to just pretend those people don't exist. Keep loving snakes and believing in what you do. I promise out of h.s it will get better.

Surprisingly, you will through conversation and idle chat meet other herpers... Maybe not in HS but eventually. Trust me, they *WE* are out there... :D Attending local herp shows if you can is a great way to meet other snake people... also, you might want to check your local Zoo for a herp club!?!?! Hang in there, it will get better.... :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigCeC43

I forget who has it as there sig. but someone on this site has a phase that goes something like this...

"Do what you want and say how you feel, because the people that matter don't care, and the the people that care don't matter "
:P

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i've changed my sig but it was 'do what you want and say what you feel cuz the people that mind don't matter and the people that matter don't mind'

my good friend has wiccan relatives, and in high school, she practiced it for a while. she got a lot of crap for it but she's one of those people who could really care less what other people think about her. i think that's one of the reasons everyone likes her so much!

kudos for trying to educate people!

High school can be a tough place I have two in high school now. Like others have said when you are out what happened there is going to be like a bad dream. Even as a grown woman I have many relatives that will not come to my house, I say there lose, the ones that are important to me know what my snakes mean to me and have no problem with them, they may not like them but they are ok with them. That is all that matters. Hang in there. Keep your friends close and ignore the others ignorance.

Good for you for wanting to educate the ignorant.
Make sure the Renfest ALLOWS the reptiles to be there. Don't plan on attending and just dragging your pets with you, as a lot of the public events do not allow ANY pets. I don't know how far the trip is for you, but I've seen folks travel over 4 hours to our local Ren Faire and be turned away(or escorted out) because of pets(reptile, canine, and avian). You can't leave them in the car, so you'd have to go home. That would suck.
As far as religion, point out that the snake wasn't there at all. Satan took the appearance of a snake. The poor innocent serpent never had a choice, it's appearance was used by Satan(according to the BIBLE HA!! In your face!!! *insert football dancing*). It could just as easily been a lamb or a frog, or a parrot.
Even if you DO care, and you ARE bothered, you should act in public as if it doesn't. Calm outer demeanor will give you a shield of protection that shamed finger-pointers cannot penetrate. If you act like you couldn't care less about their opinion, and you don't want their attention, nor their affection, you should see their reactions change.
People want to be seen and heard. It's part of the human nature. The more they are ignored, the more they modify their behavior to try to get that attention. Human nature makes them cower to lick the jaw of the perceived alphas. Alphas ignore those beneath them. Dignity does a body good.
Go for it. Love your pets, love your friends, and make your life good.
Be aware of the restrictions in California regarding reptiles too, you might want somewhere more permissive, like oregon.
Wolfy