Siobhán McSweeney: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

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.

Siobhán McSweeney

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

“Sorry, I don’t mean to insult you, but did you know you look a bit like that actress Siobhán McSweeney?”

The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 December 2023 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 122 →

Melanie Blatt English singer

“Your career will be over if you have the baby.”To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why? My parents, for my teenage years. I tried to run away when I was 15. We lived in a fishing village in France and, with my boyfriend, I headed to Spain to sell arts and crafts on the beach. Mum came and took me home.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 July 2023 source ↗

Nuala McGovern

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 ↗

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 ↗

Isabel Allende