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The question

What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

Originally asked

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

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

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

Others on this question

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Maya Jama British television and radio presenter
That I wouldn’t be successful. Joke’s on them, I guess.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 June 2023 source ↗
Bryn Terfel Welsh bass-baritone singer
“You’re a wonderful musician but a terrible friend.” It was Daniel Barenboim, the famous conductor, because I didn’t have time in the calendar to work with him.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 November 2024 source ↗
One time an engineer said, “I always forget your frequency is at the same level as a crying baby.” I think he was on to something, because I have been told to shush many times over the years.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 November 2025 source ↗

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