SNAKES!!!!!!!!!

[DGoddessChardonnay]

And no Samuel L. Jackson to come save the day, either.

Or at least that's the gist of it from the coworkers who were on duty last Wednesday night (I had left by 3 pm) around 7:30ish.

Sissy is working the office. According to her, she was outside for a quick smoke when she saw the customer. At first, she didn't notice the customer's neck because what she (the customer) was wearing around it was similar color to the dress she had on.

Flash forward a few minutes, the customer gets into Daria's line (she told me about this earlier today at work) when Daria noticed something moving around slightly.

The customer was wearing a pair of live Pythons around her neck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek::jawdrop:

Yes, you read that right. A customer came into our store wearing 2 live reptiles . . . SNAKES around her neck.

Sissy fled into the office and shut the door as soon as she realized what was going on. Unfortunately for Daria, she had nowhere to go, being stuck at one of the registers inside the kiosk. Fortunately for her, the snakes didn't offer to move during the check out transaction and the customer quickly left.

And nobody thought during all this to page the MOD. But there again, Gump was the MOD that night and even he said this morning he'd probably had hid in the office as well.

WTF???? Who in their ever loving mind would think that bringing live snakes into a grocery store was a good idea?????:confused:

I am so glad I missed that . . . I like most animals but reptiles of most kinds I'm not too crazy about.

[Food Lady]

Reptiles can carry salmonella and other stuff.

[Moosenogger]

Unless there's a specific rule against bringing a pet into the store, it's legally no problem to do so (and not all pets are dogs and cats). I brought my snake to the airport once to show him off to my fellow employees (after calling ahead and making sure that it was okay with the airport ;) ). Some of my coworkers flipped out, but others were excited to meet him.

Some people like to bring snakes out shopping with them because it gets the animal out of it's cage. As you can imagine, living in a terrarium gets boring, and since snakes will lay across a person's shoulders no problem, it's very easy to take them outside for a bit. I take my snake outside when I walk sometimes. He's a good conversation starter, and I like to educate people about snakes when given the chance.

On a side note, I can understand being afraid of snakes, but seriously, why do people run to another room? It's not like snakes have a 50 foot reach and can bite you from across a room.

[Slave to the Phone]

I have to say that I never thought that snakes would be bored. I thought that they liked to lay around on heated rocks when they aren't eating. That's what my cats do.

I'm not afraid of snakes, and have been known to yell at idiots who kill rattlesnakes just because they see one. Snakes have an important role in the ecosystem, and wild snakes are more afraid of people than people are of them.

[Moosenogger]

I have to say that I never thought that snakes would be bored. I thought that they liked to lay around on heated rocks when they aren't eating. That's what my cats do.

Cats also like to investigate new things and chase any fast moving objects. ;) Even cats like mine, who are horrendously fat and lazy.

While snakes are okay with simply laying around (especially after just eating a meal), they do like to go outside and find different smells to investigate. For the first few minutes of being outside (or in a new place), they'll be very active and will flick their tongues out like crazy to smell the air. However, they eventually calm down and curl around your neck for warmth.

...Or they'll be like my snake, who prefers to climb down your shirt and hang there like it's a hammock. D:

[Mr Hero]

And no Samuel L. Jackson to come save the day, either.


You know some of us too well. I was going to quote this movie. I suppose it's a safe bet that Harrison Ford didn't come to save the day either?

[RealUnimportant]

When I had a small boa, he loved wrapping around my neck & even crawling through my hair; I was always worried he'd hurt himself doing that but he never did. I wouldn't have taken him out to the store but mostly to avoid people reacting this way! :)

[bhskittykatt]

I remember once when the housekeepers left one of the vacant guest room doors open, and Maint Man saw a little garden snake slither in there....just a little garden snake, and he freaked. He made me search the room before he would go in there. I don't have a problem with little garden snakes, but I never found one in there, so Maint Man was freaking out the rest of the day wondering where it had slithered off to.

[ReverendBSB]

I have to say that I never thought that snakes would be bored. I thought that they liked to lay around on heated rocks when they aren't eating. That's what my cats do.

I'm not afraid of snakes, and have been known to yell at idiots who kill rattlesnakes just because they see one. Snakes have an important role in the ecosystem, and wild snakes are more afraid of people than people are of them.

Yeah, I had a friend who was scared of snakes and would kill them whenever he found them, venomous or not. He would even kill King Snakes! I kept telling him, Kind Snakes are not harmful and kill rats and other snakes, but he would not listen. He had a small farm too, killing rats should be a big priority for him, but he was just too stupid.

[PepperElf]

Service Snake?

:devil:


haven't come up with what kind of service it does yet but... service snake! :)

[Ree]

Reptiles can carry salmonella and other stuff.That's the thought I had.

While the snake may be harmless and minding its own business, if a person has handled the snake and not washed their hands, then they start handling food products in the grocery store, there is the potential to spread salmonella.

Now, I realize that's true of all pets, but most grocery stores do not allow pets, (and traditionally dogs and cats come to mind), so not too many people will be handling their pets while they shop.
It's also true that there are many things out in the world that present the same risk, but in this case, the snakes were right there around her neck, and there is a known risk for salmonella. :shrug:

As for running away from snakes, well, some people have a very real phobia of snakes. It's just an instinct to run from them.
It's not something we can control without some type of mental conditioning to change it.

[emax4]

Service Snake?

:devil:


haven't come up with what kind of service it does yet but... service snake! :)

"Ah, here we are... Boopity, press 14th floor, please."

Reading the original post made me think of The Far Side cartoon where the guy is walking his alligator that has some woman's poodle in it's mouth, and the alligator owner is thinking, "Wow! This is a great way to meet women.."

[Jay 2K Winger]

I have to say that I never thought that snakes would be bored. I thought that they liked to lay around on heated rocks when they aren't eating. That's what my cats do.

All you need to do is remind the cats that if they continue to sit around lazing all day...

THE STRING IS GOING TO ESCAPE! (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20070917)

[ArcticChicken]

On a side note, I can understand being afraid of snakes, but seriously, why do people run to another room? It's not like snakes have a 50 foot reach and can bite you from across a room.

Because they're scared, and their instincts tell them to get a far from the threat as possible.

I kept telling him, Kind Snakes are not harmful and kill rats and other snakes, but he would not listen. He had a small farm too, killing rats should be a big priority for him, but he was just too stupid.

It's a phobia, it doesn't respond to logic. While I'm not scared of snakes, I am scared of spiders, and other things with WAY too many legs. In my head I actually think spiders are kind of cool, but that goes right out the window if there's one in front of me. If there are people around who can handle it for me, I freak out and run away, and they can either kill it or catch it in a jar and let it outside as it pleases them, but if no one is there I have to handle it, and that means I have to kill it because I am incapable of getting close enough to catch it, or of handling something a spider is in.

Please don't denigrate someone else's phobia just because you don't understand it.


haven't come up with what kind of service it does yet but... service snake! :)

Some snakes can sense an epileptic seizure before it happens. You can't train the snake to do it, though.

[tollbaby]

Last summer one of my friend's nieces brought her baby python to friend's son's birthday party. My son had a BLAST hanging out with her and playing with the snake (who seemed very friendly). My friend was less amused, being one of those people who can't even stand the IDEA of snakes.

I love them :D Lilly let me hold hers and he was checking out my hand with his tongue (presumably to see if I'd be tasty LOL)

[LillFilly]

Hmmm, maybe the service snake could monitor blood pressure. I've heard of rats being used for something like that.

We take our snake out too, but around the house, not into stores. Though I brought my rabbit to Lowes and he was a huge hit!

But still, an animal is an animal, whether it's a snake on the neck, a puppy in a purse, or a poodle on a leash. Doesn't belong in the store no matter how cute it is, unless it's a service animal.

I want to see a service horse in real life someday!

http://danafilekgibson.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/service-horse.jpg?w=510

[ShinyObject]

Why don't I ever get people wearing snakes where I shop? I feel so left out....

[bhskittykatt]

I've heard of service snakes that would give a squeeze if the person had a seizure coming on. So it's possible.

[Moosenogger]

Because they're scared, and their instincts tell them to get a far from the threat as possible.

I've never understood phobias that are that bad. I can understand being wary of something you don't like or trust, but to actually run from something that doesn't pose an imminent threat sounds like a serious problem.

I wonder if there's any way people with those kinds of phobias can condition themselves to feel less threatened or scared. I assume it would take a long time, though, depending on the level of fear they have toward a particular thing.

[Dilorenzo]

Got no problem with snakes in the same way I have no problems with Sharks.

Stay the hell away from both, though, just in case they have a problem with me.

[Merriweather]

Closest I've seen was a guy wandering around a local car boot sale (flea market) with a very large iguana on his shoulder.

[Mytical]

Ok you all can set up the firing squad...ready???

I've had it with the ever loving snakes, on this ever loving plane!

Ok..*puts on blindfold* you may fire when ready.

Now back on topic..I like animals..of all kinds. That doesn't mean I want to volunteer to be the next meal or whatever. I prefer to think of it as a healthy respect. So with things like snakes, etc I have an understanding. They leave me alone, I will not run and cower in a corner :angel:. I can handle my own..don't get me wrong, but if it is a PET that means Mytical no hurt. If I can not defend myself, the other option is RUN LIKE A SCAREDY CAT!

[raudf]

For me, it all depends on the snake and the handler's attitude. I'm not fond of snakes, but I'm not scared of them either. They just are not my type of pet.

I do have a rule about poisonous snakes on my yard or in my home. If possible, encourage it to move on. If not, it's going to have to die, because of the kids.. not that the dogs would let one live if they found it first. And yes, I keep myself educated on the type of snakes. And I'm teaching what I know to the kids.

Garter/garden snakes and other such non-poisonous, they are just left alone or encouraged to move on in a direction that isn't likely to get them hurt by accident. King Snakes are allowed to stay within certain areas that are off limits to the kids and dogs, because they are good for keeping the wild rat/mice population down as well as the poisonous snake population.

I also don't kill any I come up on while hiking or camping. Just keep mindful of them and give 'em their space. The only reason I can't do that in my own yard is because kids have memories of blown glass at times and the dogs don't like snakes in "their" turf.

[AccountingDrone]

I want to see a service horse in real life someday!

http://danafilekgibson.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/service-horse.jpg?w=510

Maybe to assist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HHTp1ZUKUU) my wheelchair on a slope?
Though I do like the idea of having a newfie pulling =)

http://www.almaden.ibm.com/cs/people/triblet/95CX36S.JPG

[Ree]

I've never understood phobias that are that bad. As someone with that kind of phobia, I have to say, I don't understand it either, but the reaction just happens.

It's similar to not being able to sleep unless you have a blanket over you. It's totally irrational, and the blanket offers no protection at all, but it's just a mental thing that it has to be there.

We know the snake can't reach us and won't hurt us, but we still make sure there is enough distance between us and them.

My phobia is so bad, I can't even look at a TV screen or a page in a book if there's a snake. In fact, I have had times when I came across the picture in a book or magazine and threw it across the room.

If there is a show or movie with a snake in the scene, I curl my feet up under me and won't let my legs dangle, or my feet touch the floor in case the snake gets me. LOL
Yeah...pretty stupid and irrational, but that's my phobia. :shrug:

[MoonCat]

I love snakes. I wouldn't take one into a store, though, mainly because I'd be afraid someone might hurt the snake.

I understand that phobias can be pretty bad. My one sister is totally freaked by spiders. So am I, if they get close to me, especially if they're large. But I still have to be the one who chucks them outside because she CANNOT get close to one.

We both used to be terrified of centipedes. We once persuaded our mom to switch bedrooms with us for a few nights because we'd seen one in our room. One day I realized I had lost my fear of them. I still don't really like them, but I'm no longer terrified and even think they're kinda interesting. I believe the gods took away my fear (probably because they knew I'd end up moving to a house that's basically Centipede Central in the spring and summer...what can I say, too close to the river and they like damp....)

[ArcticChicken]

As someone with that kind of phobia, I have to say, I don't understand it either, but the reaction just happens.

The thing that I find totally bizarre about my spider phobia is the difference in my reaction if someone else is there or not. If no one is home, I freak out a little, and go get the vacuum cleaner to suck it up. If someone else is there, I literally cannot deal with the spider on my own, someone else needs to do it.

[Jay 2K Winger]

I understand people have phobias, and I'll admit, I get nervous about snakes and creepy crawlies. But I take the approach of "leave them alone, they'll probably leave me alone."

Not to say I won't freak out if one crawls or slithers onto me. I'll probably slap it away, then put some distance between us.

Heck, spiders, as I see it, fulfill a vital role! They eat other creepy crawlies.

I didn't even want to disturb the big fat black widow I found in our garage, which had set up shop between the two garage doors, and had clearly been doing a great job keeping the bugs at bay. When I mentioned it to Mom, though, she immediately demanded I kill it. When I refused to do so, she did it herself with some bug spray. Her view on spiders is "they have the whole outside to live in, they can do it there, NOT in my house."

Sigh.

[downforit2008]

Snakes brought into a store???:eek: And I thought people who bring their dogs (not service animals)into a store were idiotic enough!

[BlaqueKatt]

We both used to be terrified of centipedes. We once persuaded our mom to switch bedrooms with us for a few nights because we'd seen one in our room. One day I realized I had lost my fear of them. I still don't really like them, but I'm no longer terrified and even think they're kinda interesting.

the long-leggedy ones(Mediterranean) eat spiders, bedbugs, termites, cockroaches, silverfish, ants, and other small bugs, they also don't reach breeding age until three years, and can live up to 7 years! And they only have 8 legs when they hatch-the tiny ones are adorable, the large ones torment my cats(they run back and forth juuuusssst outside the cats jumping range....)

[EricKei]

While I dislike insects and similar creepy-crawlies in general, I do happen to adore one type, and wish I could get them to colonize near my house -- dragonflies. If there's anything we need more of here, it's a bug that eats mosquitoes. ;)

[mharbourgirl]

I've never understood phobias that are that bad. I can understand being wary of something you don't like or trust, but to actually run from something that doesn't pose an imminent threat sounds like a serious problem.

I wonder if there's any way people with those kinds of phobias can condition themselves to feel less threatened or scared. I assume it would take a long time, though, depending on the level of fear they have toward a particular thing.

For me it's spiders, and has been for as long as I can remember. And I live in a part of the world where there aren't any significantly dangerous spiders. Doesn't matter. Something in my brain is not susceptible to any amount of logical reasoning on my part, it's like a little program designed to release massive amounts of adrenaline and activate the flight reflex if I so much as see a spider, especially one near me in my house. I literally cannot deal with them. I can't. I can't even scoop one into a jar and carry the jar outside, my husband has to do that because I won't allow him to kill spiders, just get them away from me. Spiders are too important to kill, but my brain thinks they're alien creatures right at the top of the threat hierarchy. And I've had close encounters with bears and not been that pants-wettingly scared.

I have tried for many years to mitigate the reaction, to learn to not be so mindlessly terrified of spiders, and nothing works. I can't even look at a picture of a spider, it's that bad. Some phobias can be calmed down, maybe. I have yet to find a method that will help mine. :shrug:

[ArcticChicken]

Some phobias can be calmed down, maybe. I have yet to find a method that will help mine. :shrug:

For a phobia that extreme you generally need the help of a trained professional.

[Gizmo]

So this was the thread that caused me to dream of huge spiders with plastic ladybird shells on them then?

Hate the things since one ran right over my foot when I was a kid.... never would sit on the floor again after that!

[Slave to the Phone]

Cats also like to investigate new things and chase any fast moving objects. ;) Even cats like mine, who are horrendously fat and lazy.

While snakes are okay with simply laying around (especially after just eating a meal), they do like to go outside and find different smells to investigate. For the first few minutes of being outside (or in a new place), they'll be very active and will flick their tongues out like crazy to smell the air. However, they eventually calm down and curl around your neck for warmth.

...Or they'll be like my snake, who prefers to climb down your shirt and hang there like it's a hammock. D:

My cats do like to run around and frisk...at the crack of dawn when I don't need to be awake for another hour.

Do you change things out in their tank for them? Or move the tank so they have a different view? Do they ever pee on you? Can they control their output? I'm not being snarky, I honestly know nothing about owning snakes. This is interesting.

Yeah, I had a friend who was scared of snakes and would kill them whenever he found them, venomous or not. He would even kill King Snakes! I kept telling him, Kind Snakes are not harmful and kill rats and other snakes, but he would not listen. He had a small farm too, killing rats should be a big priority for him, but he was just too stupid.

You are right, he was an idiot. There used to be a King Snake that liked to stretch out in the road and soak in the heat. I'd go out and stomp my feet to make him move. One of my neighbors saw me doing it and said that I should just stomp on snakes head, so I used a rake to pick snake up and put it in a bucket and took snake out in the desert and let it go. I didn't want the neighbor to kill it.

All you need to do is remind the cats that if they continue to sit around lazing all day...

THE STRING IS GOING TO ESCAPE! (http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20070917)

That was FUNNY! Thank you, I bookmarked the link :)