Backstabbing people are avoided by most of us, but sometimes they can be useful. Find out the value of having these so-called “pet rattlesnake” backstabbers in your life and how to benefit from them.
Do you have someone in your life who everybody says you shouldn’t bother with? You know, the liar, the cheater, the fake friend? Or maybe they are someone who steals, can’t be trusted to do their share on the team, or is just nasty in how they talk to people. People might wonder why you would keep a toxic individual in your life, but you insist this person is valuable. You have a human “pet rattlesnake”. Join SpiritualBlossom to find out what these so-called “pet rattlesnakes” are and the ugly truth of the drawbacks of keeping them. Find out the surprising benefits of having them. Then, if you decide they are worth it, find out some simple techniques for staying safe from their “venom” and benefitting from their skills or companionship. Not everyone can be a “pet rattlesnake” handler, but if you decide you are, we will tell you how to keep from being “bitten”.
What’s a “Pet Rattlesnake”?
A “pet rattlesnake” is someone you can’t always trust. You can have them in your life, spend time with them, take care of the relationship, but you can never turn your back on them. It is in their nature to say or do toxic things. However, they hold some value. They might be smart, and know solutions to problems nobody else can solve. They might be the best performer on your team, and if they left, another team would benefit from their hard work. They might be the funniest person you ever met and show you a good time like nobody else. They might be an unfaithful lover, but it’s the best sex you ever had. They are like real venomous creatures, but somehow, you decide they are worth the trouble they could cause.
The Drawbacks of “Pet Rattlesnakes”
Before we discuss the benefits of having “pet rattlesnakes, let’s point out some of the drawbacks of having them. They are untrustworthy, they can be hurtful, and they sometimes lie. They are typically very selfish and downright disrespectful. These drawbacks might be too intense for you, and you may decide you don't want to pet rattlesnake around.
They are Untrustworthy
You can't necessarily trust a “pet rattlesnake” not to do something bad. You can't trust them not to stab you in the back. You can't trust them to keep your secrets. You can’t trust that they will be on their best behavior, and not fall back on their worst habits. Like a real rattlesnake , the people we call “pet rattlesnakes” may strike at any time, and the things they do can be just as deadly as a real rattlesnake’s venom. You know who you can’t trust? Frenemies- and you can read why here: How a Frenemy is Your Worst Friend
They are Hurtful
“Pet rattlesnakes” don't care if they hurt people’s feelings. They're too busy being the way that they truly are. One thing that makes these people like venomous snakes is that their worst habits are things that they embrace instead of trying to change. They use these habits to their own advantage, and if it hurts other people, they are okay with that. If they want to take something that's yours, they will. If they want to spread gossip, they will. If they want to take your time away from other people you love, they don’t care who it hurts. A “pet rattlesnake” thinks of what they want, regardless of other people’s feelings.
They Lie
“Pet rattlesnakes” don’t mind lying to get what they want. If they have to be dishonest to get things, they don’t mind. The trouble is, lies can cause problems for other people. This can make them untrustworthy, and it might make you wonder why you keep them around. You will have to question everything they tell you, and double check behind them for everything. Some people decide it's not worth it to keep somebody around who is dishonest and who they can't trust. Lying regularly can be a highly deviant behavior and you can read about social deviance here: Social Deviance- Daring to be Different
They are Selfish
“Pet rattlesnake” people are focused on what they want. That doesn't mean that they don't love or care about anyone else. It just means that their desires can take priority over other people's needs. If what they're doing doesn't involve anybody else, it’s not a problem. For the most part, “pet rattlesnakes” don't care if it does. They just care about what they want. Relationships are supposed to be mutually beneficial. Selfish people find it difficult to do anything that benefits anybody else. This is one reason why a lot of people don't like to have “pet rattlesnakes” in their lives.
They Are Disrespectful
Being hurtful, dishonest, untrustworthy and selfish are all very disrespectful things. Your “pet rattlesnake” can be all of these things and more. Disrespect means you don’t care about other people’s feelings, needs, and boundaries, which “pet rattlesnakes” don’t. The surprising truth that “pet rattlesnakes” miss is that they can be respectful of other people, and still get the things in life they want. They just need to balance what they want with other people’s rights. Some people won’t have “pet rattlesnakes” around because they refuse to tolerate the disrespect. Do you think it is virtuously selfless to tolerate disrespect? That’s not a good idea and you can find out why here: The Case Against Being Selfless
The Benefits of “Pet Rattlesnakes”
“Pet rattlesnakes” aren't all bad, as some people can tell you. Each of them have some serious skills that they can share and some powerful knowledge too. They can be a lot of fun and be very useful sometimes. Perhaps the best thing about “pet rattlesnake” people is that they can be refreshingly honest and that is one of the biggest reasons a lot of people keep them in their lives.
They Have Skills
What kind of skills does your “pet rattlesnake” have? Can you get by without them? Chances are nobody else has these special skills that your own “pet rattlesnake” has, and nobody else ever has. The harshest person on your team might be the best at tech repairs. The person who is always late might be the only nurse who is good with your most difficult patients. Your friend who has absolutely no personal filter might be the best one at convincing people to do things. It can be exhausting to deal with a “pet rattlesnake”, but their skills might make them worth it.
They Have Knowledge
Everybody has knowledge, even “pet rattlesnakes”. They won't necessarily share it with just anybody, but the people who hold them near and dear, they just might. They can be the ones who have that little bit of information that benefits everyone. People who keep pet rattlesnakes around know how valuable their knowledge and wisdom is. To them, it makes pet rattlesnakes worth keeping around. One powerful type of knowledge is self-awareness and you can learn how to become self-aware here; Unlocking the Power of Personal-Awareness
They Are Fun
Stubborn, funny, self-centered, deviant “pet rattlesnake” people can be some of the most fun people you've ever met. They rarely care what other people think, and they don’t hold themselves back from what they truly enjoy in life. If they like you because you tolerate their bad side, they will take you along for a lot of fun. Be careful though, they can be mean practical jokers. Keep in mind they love having a good joke played on them too, though.
They are Useful
Skills, knowledge, fun, honesty, and being true to themselves, “pet rattlesnakes” bring a lot of good things to the table you will miss out on if you don’t want to deal with their bad side. If they like you, they will help you, even when some other people might not. They have another useful skill some people don’t- they can detect other “rattlesnake” people, and will protect the people they like from their “venom”. One Zodiac Sign that values useful, helpful people is Aquarius and you can read about them here: Aquarius Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
They Keep it Real
“Pet rattlesnakes” can be very cunning, but after a while, they become predictable. A dishonest person could be dishonest at any time, and once you come to expect that, you can know to watch for it. If they become close to you, they may also let down their guard and be brutally honest with you. You might become the only person they are completely open with, and this will help you to dodge any “bite” they may send your way. They might not care if the general public accepts or understands them, but they will appreciate an individual who actually does. Their honesty, once they get comfortable with you, combined with their predictability can make them more honest than other people.
Safe “Pet Rattlesnake” Handling
Keeping your own backstabbing “pet rattlesnake” isn’t easy, and it requires some skills. Open communication and establishing clear boundaries are two ways to handle them. You can’t turn your back on your “pet rattlesnake” though. You have to be ever watchful, prepared that they may strike at any time. Just don’t stand for it. If you do these things, you can have many good years with your “pet rattlesnake”.
Be Direct
Open communication is one of the most important things in any relationship, but especially with a “pet rattlesnake”. The truth is, most people have zero tolerance for a toxic person and their antics, and someone who has few people close to them will especially appreciate somebody who sticks by them. They will value open communication, and they will appreciate having someone like you who will listen as well as talk to them. Being a “pet rattlesnake” can be lonely, and these people have the same emotional needs as everybody else. They value communication and companionship and appreciate your openness.
Establish Boundaries
Part of direct, open communication is letting your “pet rattlesnake” know what is unacceptable. They might gossip to you about other people, but you expect your personal information to be kept secret. They might do jokes at other people’s expense, but if you don’t like it, they can’t talk to you that way. They might spend other friend’s money, but yours if off limits. Make sure they know what your boundaries are. Boundaries need respected, but you need to push your own boundaries sometimes. Find out how here: Testing Your Boundary Level- Taking Your Chances
Stay Alert
Unfortunately, “pet rattlesnakes” are known to have their own type of “venom” and they are known to strike. Whatever their bad habits they are proud of, you will have to remain vigilant. Somehow, it is in their nature to have these toxic behaviors, and if you decide to keep a “pet rattlesnake” around, you are going to have to accept them for the way they are. Eventually, no matter how long they go without striking, someday, they are going to strike out at somebody sometime. Keep your eyes and ears open to make sure you are not the one they strike.
Tolerate No Bull
If you keep this “pet rattlesnake” in your life, they must understand there will be zero tolerance for disrespecting boundaries. If your “pet rattlesnake” starts to strike at you, tell them “No”. Other people might have no idea of how to handle a “pet rattlesnake’s” venom. The way to do it is to refuse to allow it to make it into your life. It might be in their nature to have a certain toxic trait, but if they want to be in your life, they have to understand that it is not welcome with you. Speaking of “bulls”, the Zodiac Sign symbolized by the bull is Taurus and you can read about them here: Taurus Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
What If I Don’t Want To?
What if you don’t want to keep a “pet rattlesnake”? Not everybody wants to have someone in their life who they can't trust, who they have to watch constantly, and who has bad habits or is toxic.If you feel that someone is too much trouble and they're not worth it, you don't, under any circumstances, have to keep them around. You're allowed to give them a chance, and if you get tired of their behavior, change your mind about them. You're also allowed to observe them for a while and give them a chance later.
The author’s Priest encouraged her to welcome “pet rattlesnakes” who were useful, but she disagreed. Her Priest had multiple “pet rattlesnakes” in his life.The author tried pet rattlesnakes, but she couldn't tolerate them. It upset her that she had people in her personal life that didn't have a problem with being hurtful, disrespectful, or crossing boundaries. On the other hand, her Priest knew how to manage them well. He knew how to set boundaries with them and enforce them, and he always said that everybody, no matter how bad they could behave, had redeeming qualities, and could be helpful. What do you think? Do you feel comfortable having pet rattlesnakes, or would you rather not?
“Pet rattlesnakes” are toxic people who we keep in our lives simply because we want to. No matter how close you get to these people, their toxic traits could surface at any time, and hurt you. If you decide to keep these people in your life, it is important to understand that you always have to be vigilant because they could “strike” like a real venomous snake at any time. Some people can’t do without their “pet rattlesnake” but other people don’t want someone in their life who could cause problems. Only you can decide whether they are worth it or not!
Are you having trouble deciding whether to keep someone in your life or not? Reach out to one of our psychics for guidance today!
About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for Mysticsense and SpiritualBlossom, and she writes for PaganPages.Org emag and Green Egg Magazine.
