I was walking around Boise with my standard phase male on my shoulders, going to my work to pick up my paycheck, and a lady parked next to me, was on her cell phone, and when she turned off her jeep and got out and saw my 8 foot python chillin on my shoulders like it was no big deal, she shrieked, said "I f****** hate snakes!" jumped in her jeep and literally sped away as though my ferocious killer that was just seething with evil on my shoulders was going to chase her in her jeep!



Please consider other people's rights and fears. Snakes are the most commonly feared creature on earth. Spiders are probably second.



Yes, most people's fears stem from ignorance. Not stupidity, but ignorance. This fear is usually heavily rooted within generation after generation of said people. A lot of people are deathly afraid of snakes.



I can remember when I was a child (maybe 9 or 10yrs old) seeing one of my uncles seriously threaten to beat his 18yr old son to death with a hammer "if you take one more step towards me with that snake". I'm here to tell you that he would've done it, too. He was that scared of snakes. The snake was a 2 1/2ft red rat snake in central FL.



We aren't going to win over the general public by needless, unwanted, public displays of them. These aren't socially-accepted puppies or kittens. It's no different than non-smokers not wanting to smell the smoke of cigarettes or cigars while dining. They have that right. One person's rights ends where another person's rights begin.



Please, if you want to show off your snakes arrange to do educational shows somewhere, somewhere where everyone knows what they're about to encounter. If personally needed, at least go to an unpopulated area where nobody else is nearby and sit with your snake. Even though I'm not real fond of this technique it allows those that are curious to come to you and the "fraidy cats" (just teasing) can stay as far away as they like.



You're already aware of the stigma we reptile keepers face. Even the best of friends will sometimes think we're flat out loony just because of our choice of captives.



Please, respect other people's fears & rights and leave your snakes at home or take them to special "repitle" functions, only.



Have a good one!

HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,

this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:

Appalachian American





www.natures-signature.com

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