My first shock I guess about peoples' fear

[Badgemash]

I'd rather turn the corner and see a horse in an aisle than a screaming kid.

I'm not going to pretend that the naughty part of me didn't instantly think of trying this exact thing when I read the part about letting every other animal in Lowes. I wonder what they'd do if I turned up on my 17h ex-racehorse...

[Marrissa]

I'm not going to pretend that the naughty part of me didn't instantly think of trying this exact thing when I read the part about letting every other animal in Lowes. I wonder what they'd do if I turned up on my 17h ex-racehorse...

I'll ride my horse and we'll meet up.

[Annarose15]

I don't fault people for fearing snakes, I fault them for being closed minded. Seems to me that if we have to keep our hobby behind closed doors that's promoting the idea that they SHOULD be kept away from people. I don't know. I guess we'll just agree to disagree. I posted just to kinda share my surprisement at how silly some people can be, but also to share how interested some people were. My coworkers were still asking about ball pythons today, even the ones that were scared of him. So seems like I opened up a few people to it, or at least got some knowledge into them about them.

Pictures give people an opportunity to see snakes from a "safe" distance, also, and prompt them to ask more questions. I'm one of those people who takes snakes to classrooms, and you wouldn't believe the red tape and downright begging it takes to get approval for that exposure. All it would take is a few parents seeing a BP strike the air defensively in a public place for my visits to their children's classroom to be banned permanently. You can't control a snake's reaction to a public place, or the public's reaction to the animal, which makes it a risk that isn't worth it, IMO. No, we shouldn't have to hide out animals. However, we aren't going to win anyone over by forcing interactions in places that they shouldn't reasonably encounter said animals.

[CaitJaye]

Hey, I'm a garden cashier at lowes too. lol.
And funfact. I've had the dogs customers bring in snap at me and try to bite in lines.
The savannah monitor our one customer brings in never tries to bite anyone.
In my opinion if the rules apply for one person it should any other.
Im proud of you for showing off your snake.
A lot of people consider Indie to be repulsive and if you can change someones mind by showing them the good side of snakes, then congrats.

[Herpenthusiast3]

I'm not going to pretend that the naughty part of me didn't instantly think of trying this exact thing when I read the part about letting every other animal in Lowes. I wonder what they'd do if I turned up on my 17h ex-racehorse...

If nothing else you come out with an awesome story.

[arialmt]

Dogs need leashes, snakes need bags.

It's not about catering to fear. It's about responsibility and respect for all other creatures, even humans.

[carlson]

There's a difference between not hiding the fact you keep snakes and showing them to those who chose to see them, and bringing a snake out just to show people how cool you are. I've never understood bringing a snake anywhere, ill bring them outside my house in my yard and around my house. I don't see anything gained by draping a snake over me and going about my day like I'm just the average shopper. Most people who see someone walk around with a snake aren't gonna be like o cool I wanna see, what a cool animal you have. Most will think look at that person drawing more attention to themselves than needed. But just my way of thinking

[LotusCorvus]

Yeah, big busy stores aren't somewhere I'd bring a snake, no matter how well-behaved they are normally. I do understand wanting to show your coworkers though, and sticking to the garden area on a nice day wouldn't be a huge deal to me. I only bring Sasha, my 'ambassador snake', out to my local pet shop occasionally, and even there I've had people call her disgusting. If you have any sort of local animal expo that happens regularly thats a great place to get a snake used to people, I'm lucky enough to be near one so once it gets a bit warmer I'll probably bring one of my girls with me.

[Vnuk1]

If you're acting responsibly and within your rights, I say do what you please with yourself and your pets. You can't live your life worrying about offending everyone or hurting some cry babies feelings, screw'em. Do what makes you happy. You think you get dirty looks while carrying your pet snake around? You should see the looks I get while doing my grocery shopping with my .45 strapped to my hip..

Sent from my fingertips...

[BrandiR]

If you're acting responsibly and within your rights, I say do what you please with yourself and your pets. You can't live your life worrying about offending everyone or hurting some cry babies feelings, screw'em. Do what makes you happy. You think you get dirty looks while carrying your pet snake around? You should see the looks I get while doing my grocery shopping with my .45 strapped to my hip..

Sent from my fingertips...

In a situation where you're taking your snake into a public place where people will be present, "acting responsibly" would be transporting the snake in a bag.

People who are genuinely phobic (regarding anything, not just snakes) are not being "cry babies" and being forced to occupy space with a snake doesn't simply "hurt their feelings". There is a HUGE difference between mild discomfort, moderate fear, and phobia. There's a phobia for everything, snakes just happens to be a very common one. Is it really that big of a deal to carry your snake in a bag and show your friends/coworkers in an inconspicuous place?

What joy or pleasure is derived from witnessing that something you're doing is causing someone else panic and continuing to do it if you don't have to?

"Because I can," is killing the humanity in our society.