I believe the majority of my friends and family dislike snakes, but I can tell that they care enough about me and my interests to comment on how pretty the snake is or to listen to me rambling on about snakes. I do get SOME negative comments, but nothing impolite, mostly just playful.
I don't understand it really. If you posted a picture of you hugging your dog, you wouldn't expect someone who dislikes dogs to comment "Ewww" or anything.