Why is it...?

Why is it that some people can be so weird about reptiles? For example, one of my friends, Wim P. (names have been changed to protect the ridiculous...oh, I mean, innocent) was over at my house last night with his family. His wife and kids are not scared of the reptiles, but Wim P. will not even look at them. Every time his family comes over to my house, the kids ask to see the snakes and iguanas. They will touch the snakes and even hold them.

We were all sitting on the couch talking and having a good time. One of the kids went over to her dad, Wim P., and she accidently startled the cat. The cat hissed and took off running. All of the sudden, Wim P. jumps up and runs to the kitchen. We are all wondering what is going on. Wild-eyed Wim P. says that cats are scared of snakes and if the cat is running then a snake must be around. So after much reassuring, Wim P. sits back down on the couch.

Why are people like this? It is so utterly stupid and irrational! I offered to show Wim P. the cages so he could see that they are securely fastened, but he is too scared to even do that. He really has no reason to be scared of snakes. He says he just doesn't like them. I just don't understand this behavior. I can only think of my fear of heights and try to relate. But I have even done things that went against my fear of heights and I was grateful that I did. For instance, it took me much longer to climb/hike this mountain at the Quartz Mountain State Park. All of my friends were climbing and I was so scared because these huge boulders were steep. At times I thought I might fall off the earth. Now I know that was a dumb thought; it was just my fear talking. But I made it to the top and it felt wonderful.

I have another friend whose only been in my house once! He came over with his sister and mom. His mom wanted to see the snakes and wanted to touch one. So I took out my ball python, Ophi, who was about 3 feet at the time. He took one look and went running out of my house screaming! We could not get him to come back in and he has not been in since then. It is just so stupid!

I don't really know exactly the best way to deal with people like this. I laugh a little and shake my head, but I can't say much because I know it won't make a difference. I feel sorry for these people. I just hope that they can tackle their fears, whatever they are, and not be content in their weaknesses. (And yes, I do see giving in to irrational fears as a weakness.)