Wow, lots of you guys take your snakes in public. I have never even considered it.
I don't really bring up my snakes to anyone. It is just not a subject that most people can have an intelligent conversation about. I certainly do not bring it up for the shock value or for the attention, positive or negative. I don't need anyone else to help me enjoy my snakes. I DO however very much enjoy coming across someone that owns some snakes that I have never owned or anyone that is a new or old time snake owner, (I guess any snake owner really). I can talk for hours with them!
My girlfriend teases me about it sometimes. She enjoys holding a snake now and again, but thinks that 9 is too many.