Fearne Cotton: What trait do you most dislike in other people?

The question

What trait do you most dislike in other people?

Originally asked

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

A verbatim standing question in The Guardian's rotating Q&A questionnaire, documented across respondents and years.

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

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Superiority. I shrink when I’m around people who act superior, whether it’s due to authority or intellect. I almost become mute.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 193 →

DJ Khaled

People who do not love. If you are not loving, you are not living. Why wouldn’t you love? What’s the problem?

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, November 2016 source ↗

Robert Evans

False humility.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, December 2013 source ↗

Bryan Adams Canadian singer-songwriter and musician

People who make you wait around for them.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 December 2022 source ↗

Jack Dee

After the third time someone’s late, we can’t be friends any more.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 November 2024 source ↗

More from Fearne Cotton

View profile →

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Eager to learn.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

People have said, “I wish you would die.” That’s the stark truth of being in the public eye – people dehumanise you and say ghastly things.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Question As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? Identity & self

An air steward, because I loved airports. I wrote a letter to British Airways when I was seven and I’ve got the reply in the loft, which says, “You’re a bit young at seven but do stay in touch.” I was that kind of kid who was eager to start the ball rolling.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗