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Original poster

That keeping still does not stop you being stung by wasps

82 replies

BQ91 · 30/04/2023 17:02

I always run away and the two people I know that have stayed still have both been stung! Obviously very small sample size but would be interesting to hear stories.

OP posts:
Loria · 30/04/2023 18:01

@BSB30 yes, they do actually chase you! If you try to get away from a wasp it will pursue you. That isn't self defence!

RunningUpThatMill · 30/04/2023 18:02

I've seen people sit there whilst the wasp is hovering by their nose. I don't know how they do it? I'm a running, arm flailing screecher too.

I've only been stung once, and I just happened to be running - not from anything. It stung me in my jaw.

FourTeaFallOut · 30/04/2023 18:05

I'll take a couple of steps out of the way but I'd rather be stung than run away. Jesus, show a bit of grit.

FourTeaFallOut · 30/04/2023 18:06

Obviously, I'd get a shuffle on if I were allergic 😁

MsDeb · 30/04/2023 18:09

I seem to throw myself into the brace position and hold my breath. No idea why.

Curtains70 · 30/04/2023 18:12

I kid you not when I was in school, I was walking home with a friend and she ran from a wasp right into the road in front of a car. She only had minor injuries thankfully but that's why I keep still!

A car hurts more than a wasp!

LuckOfTheDrawer · 30/04/2023 18:17

FourTeaFallOut · 30/04/2023 18:05

I'll take a couple of steps out of the way but I'd rather be stung than run away. Jesus, show a bit of grit.

🤣

I just can't. I've never been stung, and I don't want to find out how much it hurts.

fdgdfgdfgdfg · 30/04/2023 18:18

Staying still works with bees, but not with wasps. Wasps are dicks.

Running and flapping just makes it worse though. Best bet is to calmly yet briskly vacate the area.

Ringmaster27 · 30/04/2023 18:22

I’m allergic to wasps (epipen carrier).
Was stung for the first time when I was 7, minding my own business, and the fucker flew down the back of my tshirt.
I’m a runner. If I’m going to be stung again, I’m going down swinging 😂

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 30/04/2023 18:22

Wasps are just bastards
I don't care how much good they apparently do, they are nasty and vindictive.
I don't think it matters if you run ir freeze, if they arre having a bad day they will sting you.
And if they are having a good day, they will still sting you. .
Utter bastards.

RichardHeed · 30/04/2023 18:23

RunningUpThatMill · 30/04/2023 18:02

I've seen people sit there whilst the wasp is hovering by their nose. I don't know how they do it? I'm a running, arm flailing screecher too.

I've only been stung once, and I just happened to be running - not from anything. It stung me in my jaw.

At a festival DP had a wasp walking over his lips, it could smell the cider I think. No idea how he just stood there. Didn’t get stung though.

ClaraThePigeon · 30/04/2023 18:28

I'll take a couple of steps out of the way but I'd rather be stung than run away. Jesus, show a bit of grit.

Why? Do you think someone's going to give you a medal if you don't run away?

SecretVictoria · 30/04/2023 18:31

Stung by a dead one once 🙄. Ex-P hit it with a towel, it fell in the laundry basket (unknown to us at the time), put my hand in to empty it and the bloody dead thing got me 😡

Loria · 30/04/2023 18:38

ClaraThePigeon · 30/04/2023 18:28

I'll take a couple of steps out of the way but I'd rather be stung than run away. Jesus, show a bit of grit.

Why? Do you think someone's going to give you a medal if you don't run away?

I think the theory from people like this is that the wasp will be so impressed by their fortitude that it will not only refrain from stinging but also tell all its friends that this person will not be cowed.

RunningUpThatMill · 30/04/2023 18:56

@RichardHeed that is brave. I've tried staying still but if they are by face, my nose goes all tingly.

AnalLysis · 30/04/2023 19:16

When they sting you, they release a pheromone that marks you as a threat. I can contest to this when DS got stung and we ended up running over a mile home with them divebombing him all the way. I wonder if some people naturally give off that scent? I’ve never been stung but both my children have numerous times. Like how some people (me) are more prone to mosquito bites. My mum used to say I must smell nice.

FourTeaFallOut · 30/04/2023 19:17

ClaraThePigeon · 30/04/2023 18:28

I'll take a couple of steps out of the way but I'd rather be stung than run away. Jesus, show a bit of grit.

Why? Do you think someone's going to give you a medal if you don't run away?

Because I think running around like a windmilling coward is undignified in an adult and because this gross over-reaction puts you more at risk than which is posed by a bee sting (allergies not withstanding).

Toddlerteaplease · 30/04/2023 19:21

LuckOfTheDrawer · 30/04/2023 17:06

I'm a runner / flapper / yeller, and I've never been stung 😄.

People who do this drive me nuts. Just sit still FFS!

BSB30 · 30/04/2023 19:23

@Toddlerteaplease When you're that scared though, you literally can't say still. The fear is too intense. Natural reaction is to get away from it.

TheOhGodOfHangovers · 30/04/2023 19:23

I sat on a wasp during p.e. on my ninth birthday. I guess if I was running I wouldn’t have sat on it.

scoobycute · 30/04/2023 19:25

Would flap usually..but took the advice of my family one day and without a single flinch sat like a statue...it landed on my finger and stung me.

Stung on the throat once as a wasp fell out of an umbrella unknowingly...it then fell down my dress after initial sting, landed in my bra and stung me multiple times on my boob. This was during a wedding ceremony!!!!!!

Staying still does nothing. Flapping/running at least you're more likely to get away.

Staying-stillers believe they are elite brave wasp wisperers

Freshfoods · 30/04/2023 19:27

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 30/04/2023 18:22

Wasps are just bastards
I don't care how much good they apparently do, they are nasty and vindictive.
I don't think it matters if you run ir freeze, if they arre having a bad day they will sting you.
And if they are having a good day, they will still sting you. .
Utter bastards.

This 100%

PurpleParrotfish · 30/04/2023 19:27

I’ve never encountered wasps that attack unprovoked. Obviously if you don’t realise one’s there and put your hand on it or it gets trapped in your clothes that’s different. But we go on holiday to French campsites every summer. Every lunchtime a few wasps come and have a go at our food and juice. We leave them or wave them away as we can be bothered. The kids used to get stressed out by them when they were younger but don’t care now. Because they’re only interested in the edible stuff, not humans.

ThinkTheresBeenAGlitch · 30/04/2023 19:28

Wasps are powered by spite; there is no reasonable way to deal with them. I am terrified, it's not rational and honestly when I have been stung it hasn't been that bad. They still induce an uncontrollable panic reaction in me that I cannot overcome. I hate them so much.

ClaraThePigeon · 30/04/2023 19:29

Because I think running around like a windmilling coward is undignified in an adult and because this gross over-reaction puts you more at risk than which is posed by a bee sting (allergies not withstanding).

Ok. Congratulations on being such a superior person but you're still not getting a medal.