I actually would have grown up without encountering nettles as a kid if a) we hadn't gone to Denmark when I was six (I found out what they were the very very painful way) and b) I hadn't had grandparents in Wisconsin (this is also where I stepped in a wasp nest and miraculously did NOT get stung, unlike the time I stepped in one in Oregon). I'm not sure I ever saw nettles in Oregon.

I am not sure whether wasps or nettles are worse. :-(