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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Jealousy. It’s the thief of joy.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 January 2026 source ↗

Aggression. Anger. Rudeness. Intolerance. Lack of understanding. Pretty much your average day on X.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 October 2025 source ↗

Casual cruelty; the wearing of essential oils.

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

John Waters American filmmaker

Judgmental without investigation.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 September 2008 source ↗

More from Dawn O’Porter

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Question As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? Identity & self

A drunk woman who threw epic dinner parties.

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

Question What would you most want to leave your children? Death & what remains

My Siamese cat, which I had freeze-dried after she died. I really think their future partners will like it.

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

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

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

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 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 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 ↗

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