They don't bother me and I'll pick them up and put them outside. Unfortunately, my DH is wary and my DS is very scared of them. I blame the silly assistants at his pre-school who would screech if they spotted one in the playhouse. They must realise that they're passing on their irrational fears to the children.
If I lived in Australia or the US, I'd be careful, but what's there to be afraid of here?
I had an acquaintance who kept Tarantulas but didn't mention it until we were on her doorstep. Luckily, I was keen to hold one and thought they looked quite cute and furry but it wouldn't have been very kind of her to not warn me in advance if I had a serious fear of them.
It's easy enough to overcome serious phobias of spiders and snakes with a good hypnotherapist.