Ray Mears
British woodsman and TV presenter
The sound of nightingales, but it is the most lovely sound. If someone said it was an elf playing a flute, I would believe them.
What keeps you awake at night?
Question
What is the worst job you have done?
Craft & work
Question
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Craft & work
Question
What is your greatest fear?
Identity & self
Question
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Failure & regret
Question
When were you happiest?
Time & hindsight
Question
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Values & belief
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
A long-running fixed question in The Guardian's weekly Q&A questionnaire.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
I’ve been awake almost my entire life. I have had insomnia since I was a child.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 June 2022 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 198 →Worry – I am a terrible worrier.
Oti Mabuse
South African dancer
Too much energy.
Joan Collins
English actress and writer
Worrying about my children.
More from Fran Lebowitz
View profile →I just hate to work, so I can’t choose one.
That I’ve never killed anyone – and I’ve been tempted numerous times. My other achievement is that I went to Australia, which meant I was on a plane without smoking for almost 24 hours, and I didn’t kill anyone on that flight.
Rodents – including the tiniest mouse.
The supreme court. Specifically the case Bush v Gore, which is where Sandra Day O’Connor – one person – decided the presidential election.
The moment I realised I knew how to read. I was five.
At the moment, Ukraine’s president.
More on daily life
- What single thing would improve the quality of your life? 208 answers
- What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love? 37 answers
- When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do? 26 answers
- In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to? 23 answers
- In the last five years, what new belief, behaviour, or habit has most improved your life? 21 answers
- What does the first sixty minutes of your day look like? 21 answers
Also answered this
Donna Tartt, François Ozon, Reece Shearsmith, Tony Judt, Ethan Hawke, Ian McEwan
Search the directory for somebody in particular.
Explore further
- All daily life questions
- The The Q&A questionnaire — 25 questions from the same format
- Explore the archive — by field, age, era, and subject