Help with convincing reluctant SO?

[distaff]

Except for garters, I'm actually still scared of wild ones - they just have a powerful aura to them. It is a different fear than say, for example, facing a human attacker, or finding yourself at the edge of a sink hole. I have handled other people's pet snakes, and been fine with them.

I don't think BF is scared so much as he still perceives a snake as a very low class thing to own. He came from humble beginnings, worked hard in his successful career, and has retired well off. It is an association I have tried to change, explaining to him that snakes are pets that scientific and naturalist oriented types of people are attracted to. (Since I came of age obsessed with reading Stephen J. Gould, books on paleo anthropology - just about memorized Lucy and the Origins of Mankind - Jane Goodall, Diane Fossey, Joy Adams, Konrad Lorentz, etc.. I count myself in that group.)

I think it is just going to mostly take more patience.
Thanks everyone for the replies and good suggestions.
Appreciated!

[bcr229]

I don't think BF is scared so much as he still perceives a snake as a very low class thing to own.

Well dahhhhhhhhhhhhhling, perhaps you could explain to Mr. Snootypants that many of us are white-collar doctors, attorneys, and engineers. Personally I'm designing my retirement home around the hobby. For instance, the heat exhaust from my walk-in wine cellar will be used to warm up my snake room.

[jclaiborne]

Well if there is no fear involved then I say just get what you want and he can deal with it. I could understand a fear thing and wanting to be sensitive, but if he just has his nose in the air about it then he can get over it. I really don't see how owning a reptile or any animal for that matter can be considered "lower class"...that one is kind of a head scratcher especially if you say you are a "farm" girl that has tons of animals...

[redshepherd]

I don't think BF is scared so much as he still perceives a snake as a very low class thing to own. He came from humble beginnings, worked hard in his successful career, and has retired well off. It is an association I have tried to change, explaining to him that snakes are pets that scientific and naturalist oriented types of people are attracted to.

There are some negative stigmas associated with various animals as pets. You might let him know that it is the educated and passionate population who are the ones who can commit entirely to the husbandry, quality of life, and provide successful and "high class" care for these fascinating animals. +1 for scientific and naturalist-oriented type of people.

[fightfan311]

I was kidding. Most of my male friends are scared of my snakes....

[distaff]

There are some negative stigmas associated with various animals as pets. You might let him know that it is the educated and passionate population who are the ones who can commit entirely to the husbandry, quality of life, and provide successful and "high class" care for these fascinating animals. +1 for scientific and naturalist-oriented type of people.

Yup, it's the stigma.
Most of the people he grew up around (some of whom kept snakes) either ended up in jail or OD'd. A few others are chronic drunks, wandering around town, more or less homeless.

He worked hard to get away from that.
Nevertheless, he likes the homestead, even though the livestock was all a new experience for him. He spent this morning moving fifty 70# bales of goat hay for me.

I found yet another beautiful corn (Miami locality) for sale today - so, there is still time to be patient. The world will apparently not run out of gorgeous pet snakes any time soon.

[Jhill001]

If the reason is him being snooty then don't take him to a reptile show with you.