I've found that most people are respectful - and even interested and curious - as long as I'm respectful in turn. I've never tried to shove my animals down people's throats. The fear of snakes is an irrational one, and I have plenty of irrational fears that I don't want shoved down my throat. I know they're irrational, I know they're probably stupid, but they still frighten me based on my past experiences; irrational fears are really hard to argue against because you'll typically get irrational arguments for WHY they're afraid.
I typically let people come to me: a couple women here at work have seen me cruising morphmarket and have made a point to ask "Are you buying a snake?" in which case a conversation can be started about the types I keep and the industry, depending on how interested they are. I even had one woman state that she was afraid of them, but she'd like her kids to come over and see them so they can learn not to be afraid of them.
Respect begets respect.
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