Serious replies only

If I buy a colony of bees, and give each one a name, how do I remember which name goes with which bee?

I don't want them to think I'm insensitive

I suggest you give each one a little name tag.

That won't work. The name tags will affect the aerodynamics of the bees.

What if you destroy the nametags and conduct a dark ritual to bring them back as ghostly name tags? Then you can magically bind them to the bees, but since they won't have a physical presence, they won't affect the aerodynamics.

Hmm. As a warlock I can bind ghost name tags to the bees, but I lack ghost vision. Although, the bees will start producing ghost honey.

Are the names words or smells?

Serious

Their names are actually unique strings of dance moves.

Turn into a bee yourself to change your world view?

Won't work; if I turn into a bee, then I won't be able to perform any beekeeping actions.

So it seems you've decided on your answer to the question "to bee or not to bee".

hm... why do you get such philosophical thoughts in the shower?

Philosophical? This is a very concrete discussion about bees.

Well, I turned myself into a bee and had a friend ready to turn me back into a humanoid afterwards, but the bees didn't recognize me! How do I get the bees to recognize me as their keeper if I've transformed myself into a bee?

Give yourself a namet- oh.

Yes, the bees would not be able to read it. Also, I don't even know what their name for me is!

A hat.

Actually hats for all the bees, each one represents a name. Include little holes for the antennae.

Grubs can wear hats too.