[bch]

It’s been so long since I’ve been stung I don’t know which hurts more, but it must be noted the reason honey bees sting only once is that the stinger is barbed and hooks into the skin of its victim. The bee might leave, but will not live to fight another day - the bee is essentially disemboweled, as the stinger-attached organ producing/pumping venom is pulled from its guts to leave behind with the embedded stinger, continuing to pump venom into the unfortunate recipient.

[kbutler]

Yes - it hurts you, but it kills the bee. Honeybees don't want to sting you, but will if they need to.

Note also that the "continuing to pump venom" is why you shouldn't pinch a stinger to remove it - scrape it out w/ a fingernail or other item to avoid injecting yet more venom into the sting.