Yes, astonishingly, many people know far too little about bees, wasps, butterflies and other insects. As you say, they only find the little ones annoying - unfortunately. I'm sorry you have such neighbors. It only helps to educate people, to tell them how amazing and useful bees are. Without bees (and other pollinators) there would be no food for us humans. Without bees we will die out! Until a few years ago I didn't know about the thistles either - a gardener told me the trick. Since then, hundreds of wild bees have lived in our garden.