Frank Cottrell-Boyce: Which trait in yourself do you like least? — FLAPSS

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.

FC

Frank Cottrell-Boyce

British screenwriter, novelist and actor

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

My inability to say no.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

Others on this question

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Malala Yousafzai Education campaigner; co-founder of the Malala Fund; United Nations Messenger of Peace

Biting my nails.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, July 2019 source ↗

Willem Dafoe Actor

Punctuality (outside of work, of course).

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, June 2014 source ↗

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen English interior designer and television personality

I am crucified by my modesty: it’s terrible.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 October 2022 source ↗

Romesh Ranganathan English actor and comedian

My complete lack of organisation that affects all part of my life – my living space, my being in touch with people, everything. I am a walking shitshow.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 August 2024 source ↗

More from Frank Cottrell-Boyce

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

So many. All childcarers and most primary teachers.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

Question What lesson has mattered most in your life? Time & hindsight

That it’s impossible to persuade other people of the value of the lessons that life has taught you.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

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

I spent an advent in my late teens throttling turkeys.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

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

I took the whole family to live in the Basque Country for a year. My children and I have a hereditary blood condition so I took out a health insurance policy. I’m still furious that none of us so much as stubbed a toe.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

I once found myself chatting to a big handsome bloke at a party in Oslo. I said, “And what do you do?” “Well,” he said, “I am the king.” Being a great wordsmith, I zinged back, “Oh. Errm. Cool.”

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

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

The unguiltiest pleasure.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

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