Yes, little Timmy, avoid the icky hairless rats. :|

[iNSOMNiAC]

At ReptiCon in Tampa, as to be expected, there was someone selling ratties. Not feeders, but pets! They were absolutely adorable, and he even had some really soft, hairless ones. They were all very sweet. I was pretty tempted to get one, but...I have three cats, haha.

Now, this is at a reptile convention. A place full of toothy, scaly beasts that your average mom would prolly be squicky about.

While I'm waiting for a friend to finish admiring the 'Black Dragon' at the next table over, I'm cooing over these guys. There's a young boy--probably around 6-8--hanging near me, staring at the rats like they were the coolest things ever. Suddenly, outta nowhere, comes his mother. She grabs him, makes a dramatic face and says, I quote, "Ugh! Disgusting! Get away from those things!!" and drags the now quite-sad boy away.

I just stood there in shock.

Ok, it's one thing to not like a certain animal, I get that.
I understand if you don't want your kid near them if you don't like them.

But to make such a biased, uneducated, derogatory remark about someone's hobby and livelihood while they are standing RIGHT THERE--the seller was smiling at the kid while he admired the rats! :C--is just...Gah! That is so nasty, rude, and childish!

I just don't get some people.

She didn't seem like a reptile person, either, as she was staying pretty far from most of the tables. I guess her son convinced her to take him?

Regardless, how rude.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Our friends have that beautiful black dragon, had just gotten him and are absolutely thrilled with it. He got more attention than the huge burmese python.

There's always rude attendees. No big deal, we know they really don't want to be there but came with someone who did, and because they think anything besides a dog or cat is disgusting. It gets sort of funny to watch them sometimes One thing that makes them happy is bearded dragons. At least they're supportive of someone else's interests enough to come with their spouse or bring their child.

 

[iNSOMNiAC]

Our friends have that beautiful black dragon, had just gotten him and are absolutely thrilled with it. He got more attention than the huge burmese python.

Wow, really? Lucky dudes! That big guy was so active. Came right up the wall of his container when I stopped by and begged for attention. Biiiig boy, though, goodness!

There's always rude attendees. No big deal, we know they really don't want to be there but came with someone who did, and because they think anything besides a dog or cat is disgusting. It gets sort of funny to watch them sometimes One thing that makes them happy is bearded dragons. At least they're supportive of someone else's interests enough to come with their spouse or bring their child.

Yeaaaah, I know. It bugs me, but you're right! They're pretty amusing to watch, and it's good that she at least took her kid. :B

 

[ajveachster]

I've seen my fair share of them. I have also had my fair share of adults who end up touching a reptile for the first time after their kid has wandered up to my table wanting to hold a gecko. It's hard for them to tear the kid away with an animal in hand. They usually end up surprised at how they actually feel. At the local shows I do I am set up right next to the insect dealer who also breeds spiders. I hear a lot more of the creeped out people make comments at his table. I also hear some of the dumbest comments and questions at his table as well. I would also bet I spend at least 70% or more of the time that I talk to people educating them rather than selling or having just a regular discussion with other breeders/owners/enthusiasts.

 

[Pokersnake]

For the record, rats are awesome pets. They don't tend to bite like hamsters. They don't eat their poo like mice. They are super intelligent and actually trainable. I used to have pet rats, but allergies got the best of me. I still miss having them around. Something soft and fuzzy to play with is a completely different from something that warms up to your skin temperature after a while. Not that I'm knockin on reptiles, I just miss my ratties.

 

[latshki]

yep thats just how people are, I have one for you
I worked at a pet store for a few months and I was talking to a lady about dogs and why we dont have any... anyways she tells me that her dream animal is a wolf and goes on about how she knows so much about them and stuff, then I tell her my dream pet then she asks me what pets I have, I tell her that I have reptiles. She gets all red and tells me its a sin to keep those cold blooded beasts in captivity, I just stared at her and said "and thats your opinion, thanks for the kind words" and I walked away

I have two rats too
great little guys, mine are always doing something cute and will always make you smile
one of my guys likes to sit like a U except bent over with his nose in his butt and he'll sit there a groom his belly and butt

 

[fl_orchidslave]

yep thats just how people are, I have one for you
I worked at a pet store for a few months and I was talking to a lady about dogs and why we dont have any... anyways she tells me that her dream animal is a wolf and goes on about how she knows so much about them and stuff, then I tell her my dream pet then she asks me what pets I have, I tell her that I have reptiles. She gets all red and tells me its a sin to keep those cold blooded beasts in captivity, I just stared at her and said "and thats your opinion, thanks for the kind words" and I walked away

I have two rats too
great little guys, mine are always doing something cute and will always make you smile
one of my guys likes to sit like a U except bent over with his nose in his butt and he'll sit there a groom his belly and butt

Give him the remote and a beer, he'll be in high cotton