People who speak with heavy American accents. I can barely understand them. No, seriously, dishonesty.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Question
What scares you about getting older?
Time & hindsight
Question
What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?
Failure & regret
Question
Which trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Identity & self
Question
What happens when we die?
Death & what remains
Question
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Time & hindsight
Question
What keeps you awake at night?
Daily life
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
A verbatim standing question in The Guardian's rotating Q&A questionnaire, documented across respondents and years.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
Inability to listen.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 April 2026 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 197 →Unbending opinions.
Schemes. I hate schemers.
Elmore Leonard
Novelist and screenwriter
Guys who use the word “snot.”
More from Richard Schiff
View profile →Getting even older.
Hasn’t happened yet, it’s coming.
My lack of foreign language skills.
There are no more interviews.
Showing up is at least 90% of it.
Wondering why I can’t sleep.
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