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

View all 239 →

I can go for weeks without opening the mail. I can look at a letter that has just dropped through the letterbox, wonder what it is and then just shred it.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 November 2024 source ↗

Giovanna Fletcher

My need to be liked.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2024 source ↗

James Norton English actor

I have a habit of sabotaging the moment in pursuit of perfection.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 July 2022 source ↗

Juliet Stevenson

I talk too much.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 May 2026 source ↗

More from Philippa Gregory

View profile →

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 do you fear most? Identity & self

I am spooked by water underground, water in drains and water in machinery. I am very frightened of mill wheels.

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 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 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 thought won't let you sleep? Daily life

An exciting idea. I usually write for an hour or so, and then I go to sleep.

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

More on identity & self

Also answered this

Alex Hassell, Helena Bonham Carter, Adrian Dunbar, Sofia Coppola, Ben Okri, Christine Baranski

Search the directory for somebody in particular.

Explore further

All identity & self questions
The The Q&A questionnaire — 25 questions from the same format
Explore the archive — by field, age, era, and subject

Report this answer