Most of the time I just laugh, but once in a while, especially if I can see someone's reacted that way because they're scared of spiders, I'll start telling them about how fascinating they are, that they are in secure enclosures, etc. I've had a few people who vowed never to come near a T, ever, come over to see them.

For the obnoxious ones, it usually works to ask them why they're so scared of a little tiny spider. Sputtering indignation always entertains me And I'm keeping "But who will keep my face warm at night" in reserve, thanks! :happy:

Doom?!? I don't think suicide is the answer here! It's just a spider! Calm down to a panic....

4 legs? The more legs the better! (Suggest you acquire a centipede or something similar in support, perhaps start walking with cruches)

I usually say "Well at least my Eight Legged Friends don't crap in he house" and "At least I don't have to worry about all the neighbourhood Spiders coming over when it's breeding season".

I have had a small zoo at my house for a very very long time and a lot of these are not common 4 legged pets. Because of this everyone that usually come around has come to except the fact that every where you look there is some or other creepy crawly, but if new visitors make comments like "Snakes should be killed, how can you keep them in enclosures as pets?" or "That they would step on or doom any of my T's/ other bugs" I let it drop that I don't keep all of them in enclosures... Or that they should just keep an eye out for a BIG venomous one that has recently escaped!

They either run like hell, or all of a sudden show a new and very uncomfortable interest in them. And most of the time the ones that stay around and start to ask questions end up getting one!

Even my last Girlfriend ended up helping me to rehouse some of my T's, and a Daddy long legs freaked her out! Check out the Thread And she are now comfortable with almost all my pets.