How to deal with anti-snake people?

[JulieInNJ]

If somebody told me that snakes were "associated with the devil," I wouldn't care enough about them to try and change their mind.

Great point!

[Mft62485]

I've never gotten the devil association thing, but I always just get wierd looks from people I work with for having an "unusual" pet. Occasionally I get the "those snakes will eat you and your neighbors" line. You can try to educate them as best you can, but if they're going to jump to rash conclusions about the evils of snakes, there's not much you can do to convince them.

[crepers86]

A lot of people that I run in to one hear too many myths, like the story of the lady who owned a burm and it wouldnt eat but was streching its self out and the vet said so it can eat her. I tell people that give this eww or gross, I ask them if they ever held one. Only person said yes and she didnt like the texture of its scales. I had a coworker that used to tell me it was going to get big and choke me or crush my bones. I told her my balls dont squeeze that tight. I have reason to believe my big ball could probly strengle me but what purpoae would it have. I would recommend not driving with your ball around your neck. But I just educate people

[Munizfire]

DUDE, snakes are related to the devil, that's why I want one!

NO, I'm just kidding... But I have heard it too, I studied my whole life in a Catholic Private School, and in the Elementary, Nuns gave the Religion class, and I remember that once a classmate said that his dad had snakes, and the nun went [nuts] about how snakes were the devil's animal (and even said that the bible said so, using the Genesis as an example )

And I have also heard COUNTLESS times that it will strangle me or eat me...



All I do is explain that BPs are like cute fluffy kittehs that won't bite (as hard) nor scratch. And that when nervous, instead of striking, they ball up! Usually that's the line that I convince most people with.


And when I first told my GF that I would be buying a BP (Early March) she went crazy, fighting with me, telling me she wouldn't go to my apartment any longer, and If I dared to take the snake to her apartment, she would dump me. Now she can't wait until next Thursday so I can finally bring her home

[lasweetswan]

My boss isn't fond of snakes.

When I told her I wanted a Saturday in September off for Repticon, she asked what and why. I said, I love snakes, I want to go get another one.

She replied, "not me, I was married to one for too long..."

Hahahhahhaha Funny story

[Lolo76]

Not too many Bible-thumpers around here, so thankfully I've never gotten THAT response! I have heard the typical "I'm scared" or "eww" opinions, in fact I heard that from a woman today at the dog park. We were talking about flea control for my dog/cats, and I said that I couldn't flea-bomb due to my snake collection... she literally shuddered, and told me how creepy snakes were. Oh, and did you hear about that kid who was killed by their pet python? Oy vey.

Usually I just smile and say "Well, I love 'em" and then add how mine are small and harmless. Sometimes I'll even share pictures (on my iPhone), and you'd be surprised how many will admit they're beautiful. The woman today was actually cool, but since she mentioned the Florida Burm incident, I quickly explained how a giant python + unsecured cage + no food for months + baby alone in a room = recipe for disaster. She totally agreed, and that was that.

So basically I try not to be antagonistic, or call them wussies (unless maybe it's a super beefy dude, LOL), or anything like that... I just keep the conversation friendly & informative, only sharing as much information as they seem to want.

[Lolo76]

As for those who are afraid of or just plain hate snakes...I just shrug. I can respect the fear. I've been seriously afraid of spiders and certain other bugs my whole life, and still battle with that although I'm trying to be better about it. If I can be afraid of harmless bugs, then why should I be astonished to hear that someone is afraid of my snake?

That woman (at the dog park) mentioned she's fine with tarantulas, and held one at a shop recently... I told her that was ironic, since you couldn't PAY me to touch a spider! So yeah, I understand animal/critter fears - and try to remind myself of that when somebody's afraid of my snakes.

[ramstralia5]

I just let them say their piece and move on...I have, however, showed my bp to people and gave them some info about her. I let them look and touch which has converted some people. To the people who fear and are strongly against snakes, I just think in my head: humans were once afraid of the world being round. These are amazing creatures and I am glad I get to share my life with my little worm

[FkNdRk]

For the most part I ignore them. Living in the south, a vast majority hate snakes. I constantly get remarks like "think of your children" and "omg why would you do that" stuff like that. I should add that my wife has been terrified of snakes her entire life and was completely against me getting one. I finally convinced her (Getting her an iphone 4 helped with the convincing), and suprisingly she has starting getting pretty curious about him. She has gotten to the point where she will hold him and even take him out of his tub to give him some attention. Granted he is a wee little worm but still it is a wonderful start. Now, hopefully she wont kill me when I tell her of my plans to get a rack.......Wish me luck.

[JulieInNJ]

The other response that I get is, "Oh my god, you have to feed it MICE!". *sigh*