Reactions in social circle

[Tash]

I just don't get the "slimy" bit. They always ask how I can stand the slime... where did this come from? And I always get negative comments on my love for snakes. I just brought home a BP after being snakeless for the longest time and I love it. But since then whenever people find out that I have this wee little baby snake they freak out, threaten to never visit, and always assume I have the snake on me somewhere and approach with caution. I am always being told to get a "real" pet. I feel like I'm always trying to persuade people on how amazing these animals are but apparently I'm not very good at it... I find the worst part is my dating life. Guys totally run the other way. One guy that I was dating for a good week was amazing until he found out about my snake and proceeded to tell me that it was disgusting and that it just wouldn't work out. I guess I am just going to have to be a crazy snake lady instead.

[se7en]

When I mention that I have ball pythons, the ppl that don't know about snakes hear the word "python" and seem to automatically think 20+ ft vicious killing machine.

I try to explain a housecat is more dangerous.

[ratchet]

Overall, the reactions I get aren't that bad. All the guys in my shop aren't snake fans and think I'm crazy, but it's not like they are negative about them, it's just because they don't know snakes. On Facebook, people haven't said anything about them being gross and I have a few people who always follow my snake pictures. Most people think I'm the gross/crazy one, they never comment on the snakes being gross or creepy. When my husband surprised me with my snake when he fooled me by saying he got me flowers, there were a few women that said they'd rather have the flowers, but I was overjoyed with my little Apollo.

[artgecko]

It really depends on the people. Most of my family think I'm crazy and my mom has a fear of snakes, so automatically she'd love it if I got rid of them. Most of my friends don't like them either... I only have two friends that will handle them and one of those two is a former snake owner. My husband is OK with them... He enjoys handling them, but isn't very into snakes otherwise... i.e. he won't be asking to get a snake anytime soon and he does not help with snake related chores unless I am out of town or he has to. (he does enjoy feeding them).

As for acquaintances, people on FB, etc. most of them have stated that snakes are evil and will try to kill you, etc. I had one uncle that posted on my FB page (after I posted snake pics) " a snake can't be a pet because pets have to have shoulders" or something like that... I *think* he was joking, but not sure.

At this point, I've just accepted that 95% of people don't like snakes and I just don't talk about them unless I'm around people that care or are at least mildly curious. At the end of the day, as long as both me and my husband like them, it doesn't matter what others think.

[se7en]

I had one uncle that posted on my FB page (after I posted snake pics) " a snake can't be a pet because pets have to have shoulders" or something like that... I *think* he was joking, but not sure.

ask him his views on pet fish.