Philippa Gregory: 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.

PG

Philippa Gregory

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I’m lazy domestically. I don’t do housework. My mother would have called me a slut.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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My tendency to be avoidant.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 April 2026 source ↗

Chris McCausland

I’m judgmental.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 November 2025 source ↗

The rare moment I don’t believe in myself enough.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, June 2021 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 ↗

More from Philippa Gregory

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

Trolling, meanness and male violence.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

I was very sorry to stop at two children – I would have liked to have had a third – and I am very sorry to have got divorced.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

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

I’d like them to inherit my optimism.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

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

I’m a lucky woman – I was walking in the rain yesterday and was really happy.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Question What one change would most improve the quality of your daily life? Daily life

A full-time driver/butler/chef.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

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

I take my family on holiday. We went to Egypt just after Christmas. Golly, it’s expensive.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

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