Why do People?

[sirens5]

It never fails to surprise me. Which I guess I shouldn't be surprised. But today I was sitting with a couple of people and we were all talking about our pets. Yadayadayda about thier antics and such when I said the word MY SNAKES! and instantly everyone gave a furtive look and a shudder. What is up with that? I can't believe that any of these people ever held, or maybe even ever came close enough to get freaked out by a snake. Dogs bite people every day but if a snake so much as slithers it is branded evil.. I can't believe it all goes back to Adam and Eve with snakes being somehow considered evil. Anyway I guess it just aggravates me a little not because they seem to have an undeserved aversion but because if you try to teach them a little about reptiles they recoil from learning anything as if by learning anything about them will mean they have checked into satan.com. One lady told the amazing story of how her bird learned to get on her finger lol wow!! I think it is pretty cool that when I reach into Prada's enclosure and rub down his back he knows it is me and immediately comes up to be taken out. He also knows how to get under my shirt to my warm belly his favorite spot! I told them that and they looked at me like I had grown horns. I got comments like slimy and gross I remarked that maybe it was earthworms they were thinking of but that if my snake was slimy I would wonder what was wrong with it. Anyway just a small vent because people are so dum! :glare:

[ssjsmits]

People fear (and many times hate) what they don't understand. It sucks but it's human nature.

[briteblackness]

I think a big bard it the food we feed them, it's not dry and in a big bag

[froglegs]

Well Sirens, thats why you come here so you can feel totally normal and we will tell you THEY are the weird ones...:laugh: Cause they are ya know....:closedeyes: Vent on ! We all know these people some are considered family in my case....:scared: Just start with a shed and work them into the real thing later...:laugh: Chickens!!

[Lucille]

Originally Posted by ssjsmits

People fear (and many times hate) what they don't understand. It sucks but it's human nature.

I think this is exactly what is happening. I work with little kids in an elementary school and when they see reptiles they are curious and excited and they always want to pet them. As they get older their attitude changes and by high school or so you will often see some of them shy away from new critters they don't know about.

I gave the science teacher a bearded dragon and she has it in a 55 gal aquarium in the science lab, it is a hit with the kids. But there are a few adult staff that will now not even enter the room because the lizard is there. Their loss.

[sirens5]

Originally Posted by froglegs

Well Sirens, thats why you come here so you can feel totally normal and we will tell you THEY are the weird ones...:laugh: Cause they are ya know....:closedeyes: Vent on ! We all know these people some are considered family in my case....:scared: Just start with a shed and work them into the real thing later...:laugh: Chickens!!

This is a great oulook! I am determined to convince at least a few people that snakes are great educational pets and fun playmates. I guess I have the same aversion for rodents as some people have for snakes but it isn't like I won't touch them I just turn them into lunch for my boys!

[sgrdolphin]

This is a big issue for me! I live with my parents and they are not willing to let my snakes out of my room. I have tried a billion times to convince them that the snakes are not bad but they will not listen. I even have a baby rubber boa and they wont even give on that. :cursing: A lot of people are beginning to think that I am a recluse because I spend so much time locked up in my room!

[ophiophilia]

Bah. I know how you feel. :(