I feel neutral toward snakes. We need them to control rats & mice without having to use poisons and traps, and I'm not afraid of snakes as long as I know there's one nearby. It's startling when I open a cabinet or the hood of a car, and there's one hiding in there, but I think he's surprised more than I am. We do have poisonous snakes around the area (mainly rattlesnakes), but they're very reliable about warning you when you're in their space, and it's fairly easy to keep clear. They don't want to strike, and you really have to threaten them to get them that upset.
Charles