I don't think my mom thinks they are mean, she just doesn't know much about them. She hardly ever goes to pet stores because my dad does pet/grocery shopping, but I'll try to get her to go so she can hold a ball python. There is one petsmart where I've handled both of their BP's and they were both friendly, and their caretaker actually knows what she's doing. I wouldn't buy from a pet store, but there aren't any breeders anywhere nearby, and the nearest herp show is a hour away. Also, the ball pythons at the petsmart have been there for at least two months and seem healthy.