To the OP I would unfriend them! As to answering the question, most of my friends and family have been cool about it and many come over to check them out. For those that are afraid of them I try to find out why but it amazes me how many are just scared but don't have a legitimate reason except for fear.
Then I show them this.
Average Number of Deaths per Year in the U.S
Bee/Wasp 53 Dogs 31 Spider 6.5 Rattlesnake 5.5 Mountain lion 1 Shark 1 Alligator 0.3 Bear 0.5 Scorpion 0.5 Centipede 0.5 Elephant 0.25 Wolf 0.1 Horse 20 Bull 3