cruel world

[Clementine_3]

I have a dog vet and I have a reptile vet, both treat "all animals" but my dog vet really isn't good with herps. Anyway, here are two snake in public (if vet's are public) stories, the difference in "presentation" and reaction is stark.
Situation 1:
I took my puppy to the dog vet for a checkup and boosters. I walked in the waiting room and there was a woman pacing back and forth (in a 'look at me' way) with a small BP around her neck. It was fall and too cold for the snake to be 'out' but there was no carrier or box, she just had him around her neck. I asked if it had a box or carrier as it was cold out (because I already knew what she was going to say) and she said no, it goes everywhere with her and just stays around her neck. I then asked what the problem was with the snake. Turns out it hadn't eaten in a few months and wasn't acting 'right' (whatever that is to her). I realized pretty quickly that she was not someone I really wanted to have a lengthy conversation with so merely wished her well. After she was shown to an exam room the girls at the desk started talking, turns out two people/patients left in fear and/or repulsion. OK, it's a vet's office and one should expect to see anything there but she was flaunting the snake that, to me anyway, seemed more an accessory than pet. She was clearly forcing her snake on anyone that got within eyesight just for the "wow" factor. Poor snake.
Situation 2:
I took a fecal sample to my herp vet, usually a quick drop off but they were very busy. As I was waiting a woman came in, I'd guess her to be in her late 60's or so. She went to the desk area and was waiting to check in when a young man came in with a box. The woman asked what was in the box and then said she probably didn't want to know. He told her it was a Corn snake. She made the 'oh my God a snake' face and took a step back, gave a nervous laugh and asked if it could get out of the box. She was clearly fascinated with the 'box' though and eventually started asking him what it ate, what the point of a snake was, why did he get it, was it his only one, do you really take them to the vet like a dog or cat...her questions were endless and he answered each with ease. Each answer she got she took about half a step closer to him and the 'box'. Before long she was sitting next to him on the bench, forgetting there was a snake right there! He asked politely if she would like to see it and she said "no, but do you really have rats in your freezer?" That one threw her for a loop. By this time I had given my baggie o-poo to the receptionist but sat back down to watch this play out. After a few more questions she decided she did indeed want to see the snake. He grinned from ear to ear and opened the box and she grinned and said it wasn't so scary anymore now that she knew more about them. She even offered that, although she may never get one, it was pretty...would it be OK to touch it? I watched him take it out and watched her slowly reach for it as I left.
I don't take my snakes out in public, that is a choice I have made. Most of my neighbors (I live in an apartment complex) don't know I have them, I just think that's probably best. I'm not saying the OP is right or wrong or that the people's reaction was right or wrong. I just recalled those two very different encounters and the reactions of the people in each. The kid at the herp vet educated a waiting room full of folks and 'converted' and older, semi-frightened woman. The woman at the dog vet annoyed, scared and/or repulsed a waiting room full of folks. Who knows what would have happened if the kid walked in with the snake around his neck or if the woman had her BP in a box but I do think the kid had it right.
Had the OP been there with a tarantula and I walked in I would not have been thrilled and may have left, pet shop or not. I wouldn't have been rude or caused a scene but I don't like big spiders and certainly don't want to see them out. Even though I know they won't chase me and kill me I like them to be behind glass. Irrational as it is it is not something I could just ignore and continue on with my shopping.
Sorry for prattling on...