Lack of confidence in speaking to the opposite sex.
Which trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Question
How close have you come to death?
Death & what remains
Question
What happens when we die?
Death & what remains
Question
What most recently made you cry?
Identity & self
Question
Which moment embarrassed you most?
Failure & regret
Question
What is your greatest fear?
Identity & self
Question
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Time & hindsight
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.
Too controlling about silly things like timings or not having toxic cleaning products in the house.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 January 2026 source ↗
Others on this question
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Ina Garten
Cookery writer and shop owner
I worry that if I don’t challenge myself professionally I’ll lie on the sofa and watch old episodes of Law & Order all day.
I very often set my heart on things – and if they don’t happen, I’m not great at dealing with disappointment.
Self-centredness.
More from Bear Grylls
View profile →Where do I begin? There have been a lot.
We finally get to be with Jesus, face to face.
Watching the movie Everest.
Holding the hand of some random lady at an airport who I mistook for my wife, Shara.
Small things make me anxious – like social things – but I have no big fears because I have faith in my heart.
It’s all a gift. So be grateful for every day.
More on identity & self
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Steve Buscemi, Erin Doherty, George H. W. Bush, Andy Serkis, David Hockney, Mel Brooks
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- All identity & self questions
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