I know this could go into general herp, but I felt that ranting about people belonged more in the OT section (if you disagree mods, feel free to move)...

That said, I'd love to hear your experiences of odd reactions when you've had snakes shipped to your work or somewhere other than your home... Today I had my first and it's a doozy.

Here's mine:

Today was the third time I've had a herp shipped to my workplace, the first time was a gecko, second was a sand boa, and today I got a BCA male. Before the first shipment I cleared it with my "boss" the head master and I have informed him of the other two, to which he responds "as long as I don't see it" (because he's afraid of snakes).

I teach at a private school, so there's always someone to get the package, and in the past, the secretary has discreetly handed it to me, I've tucked it under my desk, and no one's been the wiser. I will tell those I know are interested in herps beforehand and when I check to see that my critter has arrived alive, I will show them if interested. No students know, no staff, etc.

This week I informed the secretary in the office nearest me, no problems as usual.. I did screw up though... I didn't inform the new office staff in the other school office because packages are always delivered to the office nearest me.

When my box arrived, along with it came the new HS secretary, a "coach", and a HS student wanting to know what was in it.. When I told them they wanted to "see it". So, I said OK, and did my normal check for him being alive, didn't take him out of his bag but let them peer in the top. I was careful to explain that he is harmless, can't get out of the shipping box, etc. When the coach asked if it was legal to get a snake in the mail I said yes.

In less than 10 minutes I find our accounting controller (basically our office staff manager) at my door asking what I got and then telling me that I would need to take him home at lunch instead of after school and that she had not heard of my other deliveries. She also told me that I could no longer get snakes sent to school because, and I quote.. "all it would take is one child going home and telling their parents that a snake got shipped to school". Apparently word had spread "over the entire school" that I had gotten a snake. and people were "upset". *sigh*

I am going to speak to our new headmaster-in-training (he's taking over next year) about it tomorrow and tell him that I had notified the previous headmaster. Although I will abide by her request if he says to, I feel that it is unfair to me. I would also like to know who was "upset" so that I can have a chance to clarify this with them (not to yell but to educate)... Ignorant people like this are the reason states can pass so many anti-exotic laws.

I'm quite disturbed about this for two reasons.
1. I did nothing wrong (it was the three stooges that came with the box and apparently told the entire school) yet I am punished
2. This shows just how rampant the fear of ANY snake, even a small, harmless, domestically-bred one is.

I'm sorry for the rant, just felt the need to vent and see if others had experienced similar things. Why can't people just "be cool" about stuff?