I have told 70% of my friends, my girlfriend, my parents and some of my classmates, and am openly studying PUA as part of my degree, i have only ever had 2 bad reactions from it, and they were from two virgins that "Do not think this kind of practice is normal" and "would never stoop so low" their loss.
The girls seem interested and even comment "so thats why you good with people", its girls who say this btw
Its all about framing it, say it with enthusiasum and put enfasis on the light hearted nature in which it allows some of the more shy people to talk to nice girls, and build up some courage.