On a train journey to Arcadia many years ago while making a TV documentary.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2026 source ↗
When were you happiest?
Question
Which trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Identity & self
Question
What is your greatest fear?
Identity & self
Question
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Values & belief
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
Nineteen thirty-nine. Grand Rapids, Michigan. Station WOOD, 20 bucks a week.
Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, November 2015 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 576 →
John Cooper Clarke
English poet
Happiness is the target one only has to aim at in order to miss.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 July 2013 source ↗
Erin O'Connor
English model
French kissing on Tower Bridge under a full moon in the wee small hours.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 March 2008 source ↗
Paul McKenna
British hypnotist and TV personality
Pleasure is a glass of champagne, happiness is when you are living your values. I get up each morning and I’m excited by the day, and I have good health. This is the happiest that I’ve ever been.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 January 2023 source ↗
More from Mike Wallace
View profile →Self-absorption.
Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, November 2015 source ↗
I don’t have any left. I’ve already lost a son. I guess, maybe, that my wife would leave me, but she wouldn’t dare.
Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, November 2015 source ↗
Self-absorption.
Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, November 2015 source ↗
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