needless to say, I really jumped when it happened. I have been stung on my hands five to ten times this year (I don't wear sting proof gloves). The hands throb a bit, but it is nothing like your face. Getting stung on the end of your finger is a pain, because you are reminded for the next several days, just how many things you touch.

I have to mow the lawn within a few feet of my beehives. That still freaks me out a bit (face stings), but so far, it hasn't happened. I certainly don't dawdle in front of the hives...

Generally speaking, honeybees are extraordinarily gentle. Glad for that.