What to say to family and friends

I was told by my family that I am strange for owning the snakes. They can't understand it..ect. However I told them "They are inlaw repelents." Suddenly everyone "got" it LOL.

Seriously though the only person in my family that "gets it" is my brother. Everyone else either ignores the fact that I have snakes or they try to be polite and ask question but they just get the glazed look when I answer. But I do know that they love me inspite of my "weirdness" so it's fine with me.

After being asked "why" I always explain it to people like this.... Some people collect classic cars and you don't think anything of it because they think they are beautiful, some people collect art or jewelery, again because its beautiful. I collect snakes and to me they are living art. The range of colors and patterns they come in is almost hard to fathom sometimes and as a bonus my "art" has a personality I get to interact with. if they're religious people throw in a "I appreciate god's artwork."

I've had no one have anything negative to say about it after that. And normally after that comes the normal questions, which you can keep comparing them to cars and artwork because people relate to those usually. their a lot easier to take care of than most cars lol.

I think people find it tough when you want to compare them to their dog or cat, i mean there's no doubt there is a different kind of relationship with a dog or cat than our snakes, so I think the above is a lot easier for people to understand.

My boyfriend is who got me into snakes and my mom freaked out at first until i explained a few things.

1. snakes are hypoallergenic for the most part. Its very very rare that you will have someone have a reaction to them other than their fear.

2. when properly housed (like all of ours are and probably all of yours), they are not going to get out.

3. If on a rare occasion they do get out, they are most likely just going to curl up in a dark warm place.

4. They don't make noise (no barks, meows, howls, etc).

5. Since most people are phobic, they make for great home security...heehee.

6. There are thousands of dog and cat bites each year that lead to hospital visits, surgeries and even death to every one snake bite.

7. the media and politicians blow things way out of proportion in order to get ratings, learn the facts first.

and lastly 8. I am an adult, I enjoy them, they relax me and amuse me.

Of course, it also helped when we sold our first couple for her to realize that not only is this my bf and my hobby, its a business. She's gotten used to it now, although still says she won't stay the night in our house...lol.

The bottom line, some people will listen, others won't. ;)

One of my favorite things to do is have someone who has an unfounded fear of snakes visit my home. In almost every case, they are holding one of my snakes and want one before they leave the house.

To me this has always been very simple.

Me: "Do you know anyone who has fish?"
Them: "Yes."
Me: "Do you ask them why they keep fish?"

This is normally when the person gets confused. Like what does that have to do with anything.

If they say Yes.

Me: "What did they say?"
Them: "They are pretty to look at."
Me: "Thats why I keep snakes."

If they say No.

Me: "Then why are you asking me."

At this point they say something that is anywhere from "I just don't get it" to "Its going to eat your cat." You respond accordingly.

At the end of the day most people either understand or have an irrational fear or prejudice against snakes. I normally point out how their fear or point is irrational. They either come around instantly or they will most likely never get it. Save yourself a lot of time and energy and make a very quick effort. Ask them if they want to see or hold your snake(s) and if they don't get it move on. Its not worth your time and energy. If its a family member who now refuses to come over to your house, its probably for the best. There is most likely other differences between you that will only lead to conflict. Surround yourself with people who understand or at least try to understand that no everyones life is church and puppies.

I find my family understands more if they can relate.

I once said to an uncle: "It's like having a child. You love it unconditionally even through the stress and worry. And you hope that once it grows, it will pay for itself, but you can't count on that. You just try your best to be a good parent, or...breeder.:)"

ALot of my family dont agree with it and call them "evil". But i really dont care what people think thats there problem. My mom and dad dont like snakes, and my mom used to be terrified of snakes. Now she will look at them but thats as close as she will get. I was fussing the other day about spending all this money on this reticulated python, and all i get told is. "well we'd rather see you spending your money on that than on drugs"

I generally don't have issues with people being disgusted and I am not going to force anyone to like them. My opinion is that if they are rude to u about something your passionate about, they are stupid and ignorant. I am sure I dont like everything they like, but I dont make an issue of it. As for eating kids or me?.... lately I feel lucky if I can get em to eat a delicious mouse or rat... Generally people also inquire much more about how I can have five dogs and dont really focus on the amount of reptiles lol
and the reason I like ball pythons is cause they are soooo cooool!!!!

most people are like OMG EWW SLIMY until i show them then they say OHHHH PRETTY!!!!:O




my mom has a running joke about my pastel every time she sees it she says...."You would make amazing Shoes!" lol :P

I'm fortunate enough that most of my friends either keep or even breed snakes. With the family, its a different story. Most of them hate snakes. At first it was hard to deal with, but I just realized some people choose to be ignorant.