a friend of mine took in a boa constrictor from Saskatoon. I had no idea they were illegal there until I asked him why they bothered sending him so far away to find a new home.
I deal with snakes at the educational events, but I really don't like bringing my own out, but because I get to nervous. The snakes seem to handle it fine.
I did bring my snake to my comic book store once, but only because I was talking about him and the guys wanted to see him (you tend to get to know your comic book sellers, I have a pull list there and love chatting about books with other like-minded geeks. Also doesn't hurt that I'm a girl). So, since I checked with the staff before I brought him, it's only a few blocks from my house (I'm lucky!), and the weather was fine and no one else had to see him as he was safe in a pillow case in a bag - I don't see anything wrong with it. I would also never take my spaz-snake out, only the mellow ones would ever be considered for such an outing.