I'm like your wife. I'm scared of them.
I'm okay with them now - although I'm still scared of them - don't ask me why, I just am. I very rarely handle the snakes. The rats are my pets.
For over 10 years I've been telling my husband 'No'. But, I finally gave in when this Reptile Store opened a few miles from the house and I saw how kids were holding the snakes without a problem.