Julian Lennon: 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.

JL

Julian Lennon

English musician, photographer, and philanthropist

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Fear, anxiety and panic attacks.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 September 2022 source ↗

Others on this question

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Zadie Smith Novelist and essayist

Narcissism, solipsism.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, November 2016 source ↗

Barack Obama 44th President of the United States, 2009–2017; United States Senator from Illinois 2005–2008

Sometimes I wrote off my own failings as just another example of the world trying to keep a black man down. I had a tendency sometimes to make excuses for me not doing the right thing.

Recorded Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, The White House (Obama administration archive), 19 May 2013 source ↗

Being too thin-skinned.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 January 2026 source ↗

Audra McDonald Singer and actor

If hoarding and procrastination were Olympic sports, I’d have at least 70 gold medals.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, August 2023 source ↗

More from Julian Lennon

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

I was a waiter with my old friend Justin Clayton; we would sneak in too many drinks and were fired after spilling soup too many times on customers.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 September 2022 source ↗

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

A steam train driver.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 September 2022 source ↗

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

Anyone who promotes peace.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 September 2022 source ↗

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

I bought a sports car over 20 years ago and still have it. She’s a black Z8 BMW. I love her: she’s my pride and joy.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 September 2022 source ↗

Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Ghosting, where you are mid-conversation with someone and they disappear off the face of the planet.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 September 2022 source ↗

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

A bee in my bonnet – whether that’s a song in my head or a person I’m thinking about.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 September 2022 source ↗

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