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

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Jean Smart

Cruelty, and also general rudeness and unkindness. I’ve always told my children: Don’t ever find entertainment in someone else’s discomfort.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2024 source ↗

Kathy Lette Australian-British author

People who pretend to have perfect marriages. Perfect marriages are like orgasms – many of them are faked.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 June 2024 source ↗

Henry Winkler

The inability to listen.

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

Helen Skelton

Jealousy. It’s the thief of joy.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

More from Fearne Cotton

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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 ↗