Dawn O’Porter: What trait do you most dislike in other people? — FLAPSS

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.

DO

Dawn O’Porter

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

When they ruin my story because they think theirs is better, so butt in before I’ve finished mine.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Failure to be on time.

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

Complacent stupidity.

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

People who aren’t kind enough.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 August 2025 source ↗

People not remembering who I am.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 May 2025 source ↗

More from Dawn O’Porter

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

The early days of motherhood. We lived in a sweet little bungalow in LA that had a pool. We threw lots of parties. We had a cute dog and a mad Siamese. Trump had never been president, we’d never heard of coronavirus, Claire’s Accessories was still going strong. Good times.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Clothes moths (and the imminent threat of world war three).

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

Question What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

So far, getting older has made almost everything better.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

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

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.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

Question What thought won't let you sleep? Daily life

Perimenopausal anxiety, the terrible feeling of impending doom, something awful happening to my children, writing deadlines. Apart from that, I’m quite chilled.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

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

Hungry, hard-working, cats.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

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