Sarah Hadland: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? — FLAPSS

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.

SH

Sarah Hadland

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

“You’ll never, ever work.” When you are young and full of hopes and dreams it’s devastating. I am just grateful that I thought: “Well, I’m going to try.”

The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 December 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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It happened when I was younger, somewhere outside London. We were on bikes, and this older girl pulled up and said something racist that I won’t repeat. I will never forget that, because it was the first time, and I was like, “Oh, I am feeling different from everyone around me right now”.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 December 2023 source ↗

“Didn’t you used to be Graydon Carter?”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 June 2025 source ↗

Erin O'Connor English model

'Excuse me, madam, you have a thong hanging out of your handbag.'

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 March 2008 source ↗

Go back to where you came from.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 April 2024 source ↗

More from Sarah Hadland

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Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Laziness, lack of empathy, lack of humour.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 December 2025 source ↗

Question What one change would most improve the quality of your daily life? Daily life

If there could be a double of me to look after my child when I’m working.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 December 2025 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

Very impatient, bossy, always late.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 December 2025 source ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Speedy, bossy, loving.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 December 2025 source ↗

Question Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? Values & belief

Lemn Sissay. What happened to him and what he’s done with his life is extraordinary.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 December 2025 source ↗

Question How would you describe what love feels like to you? Relationships

A glow of wellbeing.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 December 2025 source ↗

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