Think I'm in line for one someday
When I was about one and a half I tried stroking a bee - it was all furry and I thought it might be friendly.

It stung me.

Undeterred, about a week later I tried to stroke a wasp. Guess what happened?

This bodes. It bodes bad.
( Hampster Squared has stuff at www.tilla.co.uk, Thu 12 Feb 2009, 21:59, 4 replies)

All I can say to that is:
You must be a scientist. xkcd.com/242/
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Fri 13 Feb 2009, 0:36, closed)

Hahahahaha that xkcd sums up my entire attitude to life!
I am a great believer in empirical evidence :D

@ OP - it is possible to stroke bees as long as you're careful and gentle, they're actually pretty friendly. Wouldn't try it with a wasp though.
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Fri 13 Feb 2009, 9:28, closed)

I haven't tried it again
But anytime I see a bee sprawled on the pavement on a cold day, I bend down and offer them a finger which they crawl onto, warm up, and then have enough energy to fly off :)

I had that XKCD on my desktop for a long while. I am a scientist - a doomed one, or as I prefer it SCIENTIST OF DOOM!!!
( Hampster Squared has stuff at www.tilla.co.uk, Fri 13 Feb 2009, 11:30, closed)

Bee Stroking
When I was young I was aparrently stung by a bee and my parents told me my excuse was "I was stroking it everso gently" Bee's don't like to be stroked it appears.
(Lurkaloid awarded wanking black belt on, Fri 13 Feb 2009, 13:21, closed)