Yes, your uncle is correct. Bees are looking for food to bring back to the hive; as long as you're not a threat to the hive they don't care about you. Wasps, on the other hand, are often aggressive. Probably because their nests are more fragile, so they needs more protection. Also, many wasps are meat eaters.

bees are gentle as long as they don't see you as a threat. since stinging kills them, they are reluctant to sting. wasp, hornets, and other bee-like insects are more aggressive because they can attack without dying and they are carnivorous rather than feeding on pollen. a bee's sting is purely for defense.

Bees are nice, they contribute to the well being of plants, the honey they make with much hard work is their food for winters, if humans steal they have a right to defend their stores.

My uncle let's them land on him and his gently picks them up and they haven't stung him as far as I'm aware. He told me they will only sting you if you swing at them, hurt them or pick them up wrong.

I know they aren't like wasps who will bite you just because they can. But he makes bumble bees seem like flying puppies.

Is this true?