In reality, hornets really aren't so bad, they do eat other bugs so they are kind of like nature's pest control. It's the ones called Yellow Jackets you got to watch out for. They are way more aggressive. Back when I was in college there was a nest of them near one of the buildings. I walked by, at least 5-6 feet away, and a few seconds later one of the little bastards stung me right on top of the head. Worst of all it was right before my Chinese mid-term exam. I had to sit there and take the exam with my head throbbing in pain. I ended up not even completing 1/2 of the test but the teacher was cool, and when I explained what happened, he let me take it over.