Somebody wrote that my voice was more numbing than novocaine.
What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?
Question
Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought?
Money & investment
Question
What would you like to be remembered for?
Death & what remains
Question
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Time & hindsight
Question
What keeps you awake at night?
Daily life
Question
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Craft & work
Question
What most recently made you cry?
Identity & self
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.
In school, I was 11, and we had to paint a picture of family life. My painting was held up to the class and I was told it looked like a spider with ink on its feet had walked across the page. It was done so viciously – humiliating.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 June 2025 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 130 →“Try this, you’ll love it.”
“Next! We’re looking for somebody else.”
I don’t think you could print it, it’s so bad.
More from Arlene Phillips
View profile →A Biba dress when I really couldn’t afford it. It was every scrap of my money and I’ve never parted with it.
Kind, thoughtful and gave damn good advice.
Life is never fair.
One after the other, thoughts come banging in – and it’s no sleep for you tonight, dearie.
My daughters and granddaughters.
I play Classic FM in the car – emotional music brings me to tears thinking about people I’ve loved and lost.
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- What is the hardest thing that has happened to you, and what did you carry out of it? 41 answers
Also answered this
Alison Steadman, Paul McKenna, Brandi Carlile, Michael Ball, Adam Kay, Adam Clayton
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- All failure & regret questions
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