Stephen K Amos: 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.

SA

Stephen K Amos

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

“Do you know what your problem is?” It was a dear friend of mine. They were referring to the fact that I’m impatient.

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

Others on this question

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Adam Kay British comedy writer, author, youtuber, comedian and former physician

A reviewer once called me “artistically bankrupt”, and it doesn’t feel like reviews can get much worse than that.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 June 2023 source ↗

Adam Lambert American singer

“You’re never going to make it.” It was some guy I was dating. I had the last laugh.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 February 2023 source ↗

“You’re getting old.” My son Harris was factually correct, but I didn’t need to hear it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2024 source ↗

Maya Jama British television and radio presenter

That I wouldn’t be successful. Joke’s on them, I guess.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 June 2023 source ↗

More from Stephen K Amos

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Question Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? Money & investment

A Porsche 911 Turbo.

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

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

Funny, loyal, genuine.

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

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

Ignorance and rudeness. Decency and a please and thank you cost nothing.

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

Question What most recently moved you to tears? Identity & self

I last shed a tear when my nephew, who is under 10, announced that he was learning the trombone. When I was about the same age and wanted to learn the trumpet, a music teacher said: “The trumpet isn’t for you. You’ve got too-thick lips.”

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

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

I’m slightly impatient.

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

Question What is the worst job you have ever had? Craft & work

I was a guard on the Orient Express – however, only when it was stationed at a railway siding in Vauxhall.

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

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