When I showed the ferrets at the zoo where I volunteered to visitors,
we had a policy to only let people pet them towards the tail end.  That
way, I could control the head and prevent biting.  It also prevented
anyone (who might be malicious or just not know any better) from trying
to pet their shiny little eyes.  Presumably, you are going to show a
very well behaved ferret (Sonny, the zoo's ferret, wasn't) but it is
still a good safety precaution.  After a while of doing this, Sonny
did get to like being shown off, and would sit perfectly still
while being petted, but he wasn't really hand tame at the beginning.
 
Children tend to like ferrets because they are cute and furry.  Some
adults tend to be more skittish, as do a few children.  Don't force
the ferret on anyone who's scared; just explain how soft it is and
how gentle.
 
E.S., Hershey and Nestle'
 
[Posted in FML issue 0598]