preconcieved notions, and ooooh scary python..

Soo, my grandma came over today. She thinks that my snakes are such a waste of time and effort, which i can understand some people thinking, my family is a very "if it doesnt get me more money, or if it takes up 2 seconds of my time then why should I ?!!?" kind of family (oh lord it drives me crazy), but it's with other people too. As soon as i say Python, they are like, "oooooooh can't they like eat you?" it is so annoying.

oh, and my father seams to think that anybody that has a snake has piercings, tattoos, and is lower class. Has anybody else found that people think that? it annoys the hec outa me.

any other experiences with this? If so, how do i convince people like that that no, my snake is not going to eat them.

Well I fall into 2/3 of those preconceived notions. I have my ears pieced and a couple of small hidden tattoos (my family hasn't found them yet, lol, and I like to keep it that way.) I'm not lower class though, haha, I'm in working my behind off in Veterinary school.

You can't change everyones' mind. You can only stick up for your believes and educate people that snakes aren't just mindless eatting machines. They may not be as affectionate as a dog, but they still have their own personalities.

One day they will see that snakes are you true passion---until then they'll never understand....... just take what they say and keep it moving----as long as you take well care of your pets, and they are all healthy, you have nothing to worry about.....

Ps. I would print out some info on ball-pythons and rtb----and hand them to your grandma or your parents! There is a 100% chance they will throw the paper away-----so the next time they ask you a question or want to know something about snakes tell them---I gave you the literature and you wasted it--so please don't criticize me on what I enjoy (being respectable at all times of course)

yeah. i dont have any tattoos, and i just have my ears pierced, and we're not low class, one of those jewish families where everybody has gone to college, graduate school, all that good stuff.
It bothers me, like, nate came to pick me up for the Repticon show, and my dad went, 'so how many visible piercings/tattoos did he and his gf have?' it just like, ugh, shut up!
lol

Hang in there. Find a local herp club. Even if it's just a once a month meeting it's great to be surronded by other herp dorks that understand :gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Amy05

Soo, my grandma came over today. She thinks that my snakes are such a waste of time and effort, which i can understand some people thinking, my family is a very "if it doesnt get me more money, or if it takes up 2 seconds of my time then why should I ?!!?" kind of family (oh lord it drives me crazy), but it's with other people too. As soon as i say Python, they are like, "oooooooh can't they like eat you?" it is so annoying.

oh, and my father seams to think that anybody that has a snake has piercings, tattoos, and is lower class. Has anybody else found that people think that? it annoys the hec outa me.

any other experiences with this? If so, how do i convince people like that that no, my snake is not going to eat them.

---

Well if that make you feel a little but better it’s not only your family I believe it is just in human nature to make quick a judgments. It is sad people if they were to make judgments on others should first know who the person really is without judging the appearance

And if they make a judgment on an activity or a particular animal they should do so only after being educated about it.



Trust me I am 33 and I have been judged all my life for the way I looked for the thing I did (decided to live 4000+ miles away from my family in an other country where I did not know anyone) for the thing I plan on doing (breeding BP in couple of years), an you now it used to bother me when I was younger and I guess I thought at some point I should change and be more “Normal” like everyone else but now the way I see it is that I know who I am, I like who I am and if you like me the way I am, fine if you don’t I will not change just to be what others except me to be.

My mom's like that--snakes (of any kind) give her the heebie-jeebies. She's nervous about my bringing a BP into the house when I'm on break from school, but I assured her that with a properly secured tub, he wouldn't escape and that I'd keep him in my room at all times. :)

My boyfriend also just doesn't get it. He thinks they're "useless" and "boring" :) When we got into yet another discussion about it, I put it into terms he could understand. He's a technological junkie, but what he -really- finds interesting are speakers. Without fail, if we're in a store with electronics, he goes straight for speakers and starts taking the foam off the front to get a look at them. He just spent a considerable amount of money on a new set, and they're something that he finds -really- interesting. I think his fascination with speakers is weird, "useless" and equally as "boring" as he things BPs are :)

Now he concedes that he may not get it, but that he won't say anything negative about my owning a BP anymore, since I gave him that comparison to his own interest.

I don't know if your family have quirky things that they're -really- into, but appealing to that in my boy really helped him at least get where I'm coming from, even if he doesn't get -why- I like them :)

--Kim

I wouldn't listen to them.. they don't know what they're talking about. Look at all the really useless ways people waste money.. we are investing in our passion for these snakes, with possibly a little financial reward later.. but the same people that say herps are a waste of time, love going out drinking on the weekends, or buying expensive cars, or breeding other commonly-bred animals that cost a fortune for quality (horses, dogs, etc..) Naysayers! Ignore them.
Mark and I know, definately, what it's like to be judged wrongfully. We walked into Best Buy last year, cash in-pocket for a new computer.. well, we had been to three stores that day, and NOPE, no one came to see if we needed help. They'd pass us by for the typical soccer-moms and business-suit wearers.. even though we were standing around for nearly an hour.. eventually at BB I actually had to ask a visiting sales rep for HP computers, to get someone to give me attention! lol.. I know Mark looks like the lost member of the band Slayer, and I look like a fifteen year ol but.. heh, I make about 40k a year, and Mark owns his own lucrative business. So people that judge us tattooed and "different" people as lower class.. are definately doing themselves a huge disservice and will lose money from tht eventually.
Kudos to you, Amy, for doing YOUR thing and not letting people change your determination or bring you down! You can still love them for who they are, but it's rad that you don't let them make you be who you're not!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Amy05

Soo, my grandma came over today. She thinks that my snakes are such a waste of time and effort, which i can understand some people thinking, my family is a very "if it doesnt get me more money, or if it takes up 2 seconds of my time then why should I ?!!?" kind of family (oh lord it drives me crazy), but it's with other people too. As soon as i say Python, they are like, "oooooooh can't they like eat you?" it is so annoying.

oh, and my father seams to think that anybody that has a snake has piercings, tattoos, and is lower class. Has anybody else found that people think that? it annoys the hec outa me.

any other experiences with this? If so, how do i convince people like that that no, my snake is not going to eat them.

---

Unfortunately in my town there is still a taboo on keeping reptiles....I've gotten really bad looks from people if they have overheard me talking about my snakes.

By the way Amy I thought you said in another thread that your dad liked snakes now, and wants a Green Tree Python or other snake of his own?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by reediculous

One day they will see that snakes are you true passion---until then they'll never understand....... just take what they say and keep it moving----as long as you take well care of your pets, and they are all healthy, you have nothing to worry about.....

Ps. I would print out some info on ball-pythons and rtb----and hand them to your grandma or your parents! There is a 100% chance they will throw the paper away-----so the next time they ask you a question or want to know something about snakes tell them---I gave you the literature and you wasted it--so please don't criticize me on what I enjoy (being respectable at all times of course)

---

Honestly your PS. info can make things worse more then any good.I have found if i calmly start talking about my snakes majority of people will honestly listen.I start off telling them that snakes are NOT slimey.Then i tell them i bet i can tell them why they are scared of snakes.I have found most people have had either a snake thrown on them as a kid or something in that area.Majority say you are correct(brother threw in sisters face while sleeping and so on).Now normaly i have there whole attention by this point so i continue educating them on the REAL facts of snakes.O if someone tells you that a large snake can kill you and eat you nicely tell them thats FALSE.Reason being as a adult our shoulders are to wide for ANY snake to swallow us.Now they CAN kill you but its usually a dumb mistake on the humans side.

I know how it is to have a family that have all these ideas about snakes. I'll admit, I've got three tattoos (all hidden) and an industrial piercing, but that doesn't mean I have to love snakes, or that having a snake means I have to have tats when I have a snake.

To tell you the truth, my first snake was when I was in 5th grade. I loved my ball python and red-tailed boa and I was in 5TH GRADE. I'm pretty sure I didn't have tattoos and piercings then.

My mom is not terrified of snakes but still has that old fear that so many people have. Basically, she'll look at them as long as they are caged. My brother is terrified and won't even look at one. (He's almost 18) and my grandmother will look at my snow corn only when its behind glass. My grandfather doesn't even know I have my snake, otherwise, he'd prolly kick me out for having one. I'm the only one in my family that likes snakes, and no matter what I do, I can't convince them that my snake is not a mindless eating machine and that he is not scary. I tell people he's cute and they look at me funny.

I have no piercings, no tattoos, and don't come from a low class family. At the moment, I am fighting my way through nursing school and someday hope to have a masters in anesthesia from the Louisiana State University Health and Sciences Center (LSUHSC). Hardly low class lol! My family does not like my snakes but they do not give me the criticism that you seem to be getting. Very few like em, most dislike em, few HATE em. They just are ignorant to things about snakes and do not understand they are not slimy man eaters. Kindly explain you intend to breed and how much money a single pied can sell for and how cheap it can be to house and care for them properly.:)

Herps are actually similar to tattoos, if you think about it. Every type of person has tattoos; from hardened criminals to politicians, movie stars, plumbers, religious clergy, bill collectors, prison wardens, CEOs, business owners. Same thing with herps.. anyone who sees reptile keeping as low-class or low-dollar need only look at breeders' sites, suchas NERD or Greg Graziani.. nothing low-class about them!

Recently I was talking with a guy who asked if our snakes were "dangerous". I just looked at him and burst out laughing. This guy builds custom motorcycles! Some of them are very very fast bikes. After I stopped chuckling I just asked him to tell me honestly how many folks die yearly on a motorcycle compared to how many are killed by snakes of any sort. He sort of thought a moment and then laughed too, admitting that actually he works with far more dangerous things than I do.

I'm a suite and tie banker with an office and the whole bit. I have 7 snakes and 5 tats. So if that tells you any thing.

A few weeks ago I actually brought in a few of my snakes to work...A few people were a little afraid of them but after seeing how docile and shy the ball pythons were they actually opened up to them quite a bit...People who claimed to have a phobia over them were now asking to hold one and later on said they wanted one... I have now turned 3 people from my work alone onto ball pythons and they're wanting to buy one from me as soon as I get lucky with a healthy clutch...:)


It's funny how some people perceive snakes, especially ball pythons. But you have to think about how the media portray's snakes in general as slimey, filthy killer attack animals. It doesn't help when irresponsible herper's make mistakes resulting in injuries or even death to the animals or themselves...

That's why us responsible herpers have to do our part in helping people understand that these animals aren't what they're made out to be.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JBallPython

Unfortunately in my town there is still a taboo on keeping reptiles....I've gotten really bad looks from people if they have overheard me talking about my snakes.

By the way Amy I thought you said in another thread that your dad liked snakes now, and wants a Green Tree Python or other snake of his own?

---

Thats what i thought too. lol. i asked him about it, because im not going to get a pet without telling him, and he was like, "uhm. F no...i just said they were pretty". So, apparently i took him the wrong way, and he still thinks i'm weird, and i'm still out of an idea of what to get him for the holidays/his bday. lol.

well my hubby and i have very visible tats. my nose is pierced... has been for almost 18 years... and we have snakes. so... HERE I AM :partyon:

of course... we do have money coming in... we need to buy the snakes, feed them and care for them LOL - so we aren't poor to begin with but they do make us poor! :P

but... I'M STILL HERE *waves*

Lol. My boyfriend isn't too keene on snakes, but it is because he doesnt see them as intresting as i do. he is always supportive in whatever i do, so it isn't 'a problem, but i just hate when people think down upon people with tattoos or piercings, or things like that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Amy05

Lol. My boyfriend isn't too keene on snakes, but it is because he doesnt see them as intresting as i do. he is always supportive in whatever i do, so it isn't 'a problem, but i just hate when people think down upon people with tattoos or piercings, or things like that.

---

Luckily these days tattoos are becoming more and more acceptable than they once were...that's why all of a sudden you see shows like "Miami Ink" and "Inked" which portray all types of people getting tattooed. While tattoos may never make their way into being visually acceptable in white collar jobs, you know there are lawyers, doctors, etc.. with their own ink.

I can definitely say with the one tattoo that I have I appreciate the art in the craft, and once I figure out what I'm going to do career-wise I very well may get full sleeves.

What the hay.. I am in collections.. one step away from being a darned accountant! lol.. but I love our workplace; individualism is well tolerated (there's a girl with a mohawk, another dude with huge stretched earlobes, etc.) As long as you produce, it desn't matter what you look like. I am glad that people who enjoy their individuality are slowly being allowed to express it in certain workplaces.. but then, what will people have to do to look "risky", pierce their eyeballs or thighs? Get tattoos on their tattoos? Have 36 facial piercings instead of 24? lol ;)

i have no peircings or tattoos , but i do have long hair . i've been very lucky in that my father was always very supportive of my love for reptiles . my mother was a bit unsure about them but tolerated them anyways .

i run into people all the time who think i'm weird for keeping snakes and i just dont sweat it . most of the people that live near me know i keep snakes and probably think i'm strange , but i have thru time educated alot of them atleast to the point of not running away screaming when they see my critters .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Amy05

oh, and my father seams to think that anybody that has a snake has piercings, tattoos, and is lower class. Has anybody else found that people think that? it annoys the hec outa me.

any other experiences with this? If so, how do i convince people like that that no, my snake is not going to eat them.

---

A lot of people have tattoos and piercings...but anyway...

Best thing to do is try to teach them a thing or two about reptiles. Knowledge is pointless if it's not shared with people. Most of the people I talk to about reptiles seem interested. Though, people with phobias are harder to teach. If someone hasn't researched reptiles and such they most likely won't know anything about them. Noone knows about everything and thats why there are so many people on this earth. We can all learn different things and teach eachother. :salute:

4 piercings, 2 stretched ears, eyebrow, and tongue. Took out my nipple piercings scared of ripping them out while snowboarding. 1 tattoo. No where near lower class though. Got only 1.5 years left and I'll get my degree in structural engineering.

My dad and one of my sisters Don't like my snakes. I couldn't take out my snake in front of my dad. My sister will let me but she is scared she doesn't want to be though but just can't get over it. My other sister likes them but is scared of them I put a little girl I have in her hands and she was trembling and just said "take it. take it. take it." My mom is sort of alright with them. My girlfriend fed Elvis once in front of my mom and all she said " thats a sin. thats a sin" but the whole time she had her nose pressed to the glass mesmorized by the feeding.

Most people I talk to about snakes or reptiles generally seem interested. But you do still get the slimey/ dangerous/ poisonous questions .

For trying to explain to people BP's by relating it to passions only works if the person your talking to actually have a passion. I've run into some people and for me my greatest passion would have to be snowboarding don't get me wrong I love my herps but snowboarding for me is heaven. I was talking to someone and asked what they do or have that they love as I was trying to relate snowboarding to it and they couldn't think of anything. I felt a little bad especially when the person said them self that they can see it in my eyes the passion I have for it and they wish they felt so strongly for something. But thats just me the things I do I have great passion for.

Shoot wow I never thought of it as being low class I love my snakes my tatoo's my rats dogs family. I go to work I pays the bills I pay taxes. I believe that everyone has the right to freedom of expression as long as it dosn't impigne on anyone elses peson. I served my country to make shure these rights are Protected. If That Makes me low classed then shoot I'm proud to be that way shoot thought this country was founded so we dindn't have class system lol Hey if it makes you happy enjoy it. In the long run you have to live with and for you and if your family cant live with that then love them anyway just maybe from a distance.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by McAdry

Shoot wow I never thought of it as being low class I love my snakes my tatoo's my rats dogs family. I go to work I pays the bills I pay taxes. I believe that everyone has the right to freedom of expression as long as it dosn't impigne on anyone elses peson. I served my country to make shure these rights are Protected. If That Makes me low classed then shoot I'm proud to be that way shoot thought this country was founded so we dindn't have class system lol Hey if it makes you happy enjoy it. In the long run you have to live with and for you and if your family cant live with that then love them anyway just maybe from a distance.

---

Great post! You hit the proverbial nail on its proverbial head. :)

Fist off thank you for serving our great country! Anyone who has served in the military or even in public service domestically deserves the utmost respect!


As for snakes, I just explain that I am an animal lover and think that reptiles are beautiful and fascinating. Same with fish!
I do get the reaction 'you're just trying to be risky/macho' and I hate that!
I also get a lot of 'you want to work with dangerous animals' routine - which is totally untrue. I have no interest in keeping anything that can hurt me - including jumbo snakes. But I do tell these folks that the dangerous ones are gorgeous as well, though not a pet for me.

Mostly I explain to people that it's all about having an open mind and ejoying all types of animals. I also think you need to have a genuine love for learning, since keeping a non-mammal requires that you learn a completely different set of needs and behaviors from our own. With mammalian pets you can pretty much wing it :lol:

I introduced my little BP to my mom the other day. She loves animals in general so no problems there. I also showed him to my grandmother who was scared of him at first, but after petting him and seeing that he was harmless, liked him. I like it when things work out. :P