Esther Freud: How would you sum yourself up in three words? — FLAPSS

The question

How would you sum yourself up in three words?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's weekly The Q&A repeatedly uses this exact standing prompt.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

EF

Esther Freud

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Small, determined, lucky.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 114 →

High-functioning introvert.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 May 2025 source ↗

Rebecca Lucy Taylor

Big, shy, angry.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 November 2025 source ↗

Funny, impatient, annoying.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 October 2024 source ↗

Quiet, sharp, clumsy.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 April 2025 source ↗

More from Esther Freud

View profile →

Question Who deserves an apology from you, and for what? Failure & regret

Sorry is such an underrated word – I use it liberally.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

Question What lesson has mattered most in your life? Time & hindsight

Life’s too short to take offence.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

An inability to see the other side.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

Question What most recently moved you to tears? Identity & self

Talking about the hardships of my mother’s life – she would not approve.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

Question What do you believe happens when we die? Death & what remains

We watch over those we love.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

I can always see two points of view, which makes it hard to have a row.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2026 source ↗

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