Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Although this stuff should be obvious to most, there are some things that bother me (and several others I have talked to) about the reptile trade, in particular, at the reptile shows and expos.
This is often where a child takes his skeptical but supportive parent to buy his first reptile.
It bothers me to a great degree, that many of the vendors are often dressed like they just left a rock concert to go sell reptiles. Where is the professionality?
There are venues and places where it is acceptable to come dressed in a tank top, shorts w/ tattoos and piercings galore exposed. Doing business and representing our hobby (which is at present on shaky ground) is NOT one of those venues.
Whether one wants to admit this or not, the way that you present yourself in a business situation says alot about you and your business. I don't care whether its a small business or just a hobby. We, as a subculture, are giving parents, animal rights activists and anyone else who notices a rather unprofessional image. There are many who do present themselves well, but there are too many, I find, that don't.
Now I love reptiles and I love reptile expos. I get excited when one comes around. But I personally know hundreds of parents who would never ever take their kids to a show after they have seen some of the sleazy, trashy posters of nude women posing with snakes often displayed at some of the vendors' tables. Leave the porn at home. It offends more people than most realize, and it isn't doing our hobby any good. Small children who attend those shows for the sole reason of their love for nature and reptiles don't need to be exposed to that salacious stuff. We need to represent our hobby with integrity, in a way that we realize that others are judging us and make their decisions based on those judgements.
Let's give ourselves a good name, before we try to win over the animal rights activists and their agendas.
And please, try to see the BIG PICTURE of what I am saying. I realize that some will be offended at what I have said. But I don't think we will even begin to represent ourselves well, until some of this common sence is used in the hobby at our expos to a greater level than that which I have seen.
Sincerely,
Dusty Rhoads

Funny you mention this. My boss's boss, who I knew about two years, sent her husband and 18-month old up the the Havre de Grace, MD, show, because I had mentioned the show, and she knew I did turtle rescue. She said when her husband came back, he kept asking her if there was anything "special" about my appearance. She responded not that she could think of (except my mane of hair - I thought she'd have said my weight!). Her husband kept pressing the issue, she got annoyed and asked him to get to the point, and he finally asked if I had any facial piercings or tatoos! Seems he saw sooo many at the show that he assumed I would have them too since I liked reptiles.

Not that there's anything wrong with tatoos or piercings, but since we like reptiles, some people automatically assume we all have them, and some people associate those accessories with certain life styles. Perception is often greater than reality.

Katrina

We claim that we want herps to have respect, but we do not look like the people making the decisions about our passion for animals. Walk the talk, and look the look.
Great post,
Clint

Is this Clintsky as in Clint Pustejovsky from near Houston? If so, how have you been man?
I am from Houston and I talked to you a time or two about H. platyrhinos. You probably don't remember. Thats okay. But it was nice to hear from a fellow ETHS member with the same convictions.
I am out of state going to school. How's the reptile rescue?
If this isn't THE Clint, I apologize and please disregard.
Later
Dusty

Hey Dusty,

Yes, you have the Clint from Houston here. All parts of my business are doing great, especially educating the public and rescues. I should have mentioned in my post that profiling is wrong, but just our society. I once had long hair and a beard and found I could still make manager, get pay raises etc., but found that everything moves exponentially faster when looking clean cut.

Take care and good luck in school.
Clint

This is a fascinating subject to me. On one hand, I have always been the type to buck the system, say to hell with the way anyone dresses or what they choose to adorn themselves with, and do what makes you feel comfortable. On the other hand, I realize that we live in a big, bias world and thrives on trash talking and stereotyping. Sometimes, you do have to give in so you can make a difference. I guess it is much like going undercover, being someone you are not, just to get in the mix and bring it down. You do have an excellent point that the image of the trade leaves alot to be desired. We need the world to realize that not all reptile owners are drug addicts and tattoo parlor owners (not that there is anything wrong with tattoo artists).
I speak from experience on this subject. I have been involved in reptiles all of my adult life and a good part of my youth. I am fortunate in that I am very biology minded and studious and have become far more than just a keeper of novelty snakes. Many years ago, I started a rescue in my area. Now, while I am not the tattooed, peirced, leather jacket, missing teeth kind of person, I do have long hair, and it made things very difficult for me. I'm certain I would have been well recieved if I cut my hair and wore nice clothes. But the fact of the matter is, that I like my long hair, it fits me in an indian spiritual kind of way, and I often wore grungy clothes as there is no sense in crawling under houses in a suit. My appearance did set me back, but as time went on and people got to know me and realize my knowledge, skill, and love of reptiles, they eventually came to respect me and what I do. Now, I am THE local reptile expert and I go around doing shows at many schools and other events. Few people question my appearence or professionalism any more, even to the point where I have been elected the chairman of a local government board.
Despite the good outcome of my circumstances, there is no denying that this all could have been acheived much sooner had I given in to the man. I had years to work the community to establish myself, but the reality is that at a reptile show, you have one chance to make that first impression.
I suppose this is not much of a post and more like a rant, but to sum it up, I'm saying that I agree with you that something needs to be done to enhance the image of the trade. Does that mean wearing decent clothes and removing some piercings a couple weekends a month? Maybe? Perhaps people could just be more engaging to the public at these shows. Many vendors don't want to waste their time on someone just window shopping, but maybe if they would just take some time to enjoy some friendly conversation, things may begin to look up. I can tell you that when I was 12, I never would have approched someone with a metal face and spiked mohawk. But if that person came up to me holding a pretty corn snake and said "hey, would you like to hold this snake?" I would have been all over it.
It's amazing what the little seeds we sow can grow up to become.

Thanks for sharing that. That is EXACTLY what I was trying to say. Your words were very sobering also.
To me it doesn't matter what people wear or whatever, but what would it hurt to not give anybody (the general public, animal rights people, and legislators) a single reason to believe that we are anything but gemtlemen and ladies that have a sincere and simple love for reptiles...nothing more...nothing less.
Why hinder their efforts of trying to discern what we are all about by not showing that we are serious by the way we present ourselves?
To me it isn't worth it.
Thank you for being honest. To me it is always so cool when you can feel that someone is being sincere.
And Katrina, you definitely told an interesting story as well. All too common, I'm afraid.
Take care,
Dusty

I agree completely. I am much like the others in here. I do not have tattoos or piercings (ok, well I got my left ear pierced when I was in the 6th grade, I have taken it out a few years ago and I am 21 now...I dont think that makes me a bad guy,lol.) But nevertheless, I am usually like to keep myself clean cut and dressed halfway decent- except for my days off. I have been to shows and that is exactly what you see...tattoos and peircings everywhere. I have never had anything against anyones preference of dress, color, sexuality, or anything else. But, there are certain times when you should try to present yourself a little better. It doesn't necessarily have to be everyday or for every occasion, but at least when you are doing business and presenting yourself as a member of the herpetoculture community. If we look like trash, they will think we are trash. We should present ourselves as professionals at all times when we are doing any public displays with our hobby. It may not do a whole lot, but I am sure it could certainly add some credibility.

Great Topic!!

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

SO its not okay to have tattoos or piercings and sell snakes? Hmmm seems to me that you people are way to pressured to BE what everyone else wants you to be.You are giving in to a very judgemental attitude. Everyone should wear Dockers and polo shirts and have nice clean cut faces and no beards..Sounds like religious fanaticism to me. People should be who they are not what you think they should be.Maybe if you are lucky a law will be passed that all persons selling reptiles must look like a suburban middle class professional and drive a gas guzzling SUV and look down their noses at anyone different.
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I can go to a NASCAR event and see the same halfnaked women standing next to a car on many t-shirts.Doesnt stop dads from taking their kids.NOT that I like woman being exploited like that(but they are the idiots doing it)...Its called freedom in case you want to know...I do see your point but this is a hobby to most people and many people arent going to dress up to sell turantulas and snakes..There are plenty of people who feel more comfortable talking to a "relaxed" person then an uptight car salesmen type...Dont ruin this hobby just because you have uptight views on how people should dress...Next thing you know we will have divisions and the "Good ones" and the "Bad ones" all dependent on outside appearances.Of course thats the way most all people are anyway, any excuse to seperate and divide people into groups.
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