When I ruin someone else’s story because I think mine is better, so butt in before they’ve finished theirs.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗
The question
Which trait in yourself do you like least?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.
When I ruin someone else’s story because I think mine is better, so butt in before they’ve finished theirs.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗
I still say yes to too many things.
My trust in other people. I am rigorously honest.
Laziness, wasting time. I’d like to be able to make films faster.
The way I allow myself to talk to myself.
Hungry, hard-working, cats.
Perimenopausal anxiety, the terrible feeling of impending doom, something awful happening to my children, writing deadlines. Apart from that, I’m quite chilled.
A drunk woman who threw epic dinner parties.
My Auntie Jane. She took me in, aged 10, and, after my mother died, healed my broken heart by filling our dining room with food and people. Still cooking at the grand old age of 89. My icon.
When they ruin my story because they think theirs is better, so butt in before I’ve finished mine.
So far, getting older has made almost everything better.
Philippa Gregory, Hugh Jackman, Daniel Radcliffe, Jack Davenport, Siobhán McSweeney, Donatella Versace
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