Cathy Rigby: Which trait in yourself do you like least?

The question

Which trait in yourself do you like least?

Originally asked

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

The Guardian's The Q&A has retained this Proust-derived prompt from at least 2007 through 2026, and ABC independently put it to the Obamas in 2011.

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

Cathy Rigby

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Procrastination ... getting overwhelmed ... getting stuck.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, August 2012 source ↗

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Laurie Metcalf

Impatience. The inability to ever finish a knitting project.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, February 2018 source ↗

Jane Asher English actress and author

Minding not being liked.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 May 2023 source ↗

Nikki Amuka-Bird

Lack of confidence masquerading as perfectionism.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 May 2025 source ↗

Adam Kay British comedy writer, author, youtuber, comedian and former physician

Self-destruction.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

More from Cathy Rigby

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Question If you could alter one thing about yourself, what would it be? Identity & self

To be more outgoing. I love being home, but sometimes I feel guilty that I like it too much.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2012 source ↗

Question What does happiness look like for you when life is going well? Identity & self

Making a gourmet dinner with my husband, Tom, then just hanging out with our four children, their spouses, and our delightful grandchildren.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 1 August 2012 source ↗

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

Arrogance and a lack of respect for others.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, August 2012 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

Right now and when I was pregnant and when my children were very young.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, August 2012 source ↗

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