Herman Wouk: What trait do you most dislike in other people?

The question

What trait do you most dislike in other people?

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.

Herman Wouk

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Complacent stupidity.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2012 source ↗

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Christine Baranski

Pettiness, arrogance, boorishness.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, June 2013 source ↗

Chaka Khan American singer

I guess lack of patience as well.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 May 2024 source ↗

Shobna Gulati

Ignorance and unwillingness to learn.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 October 2025 source ↗

Bob Schieffer

Failure to be on time.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, September 2017 source ↗

More from Herman Wouk

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Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

At age 97 and counting, guess.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2012 source ↗

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

Taking myself seriously, even in a Vanity Fair quiz.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2012 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

Anywhere with her, while she lived.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2012 source ↗

Question What does happiness look like for you when life is going well? Identity & self

Monogamy, with the right lady. (Sheer luck.)

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 1 October 2012 source ↗

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