Double-glazing sales when I was about 16 – on the phone, cold calling. Horrendous.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 July 2025 source ↗
What is the worst job you have done?
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What has been your biggest disappointment?
Failure & regret
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When were you happiest?
Time & hindsight
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How close have you come to death?
Death & what remains
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What does love feel like?
Relationships
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What would you like to be remembered for?
Death & what remains
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What song would you like played at your funeral?
Death & what remains
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
The Guardian's long-running Q&A repeatedly asks this standing question, with minor tense variation.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
I used to be an ear-piercing specialist when I was 16, and had to pierce babies’ ears. It was horrendous. I had to practise on my friends – several have misplaced piercings.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 November 2020 source ↗
Others on this question
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Cybill Shepherd
American actress and former model
A movie called The Return that was about cows from outer space.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 June 2008 source ↗
Edith Bowman
Scottish radio DJ and television presenter
When I was a kid I was a chambermaid in my family’s hotel, and I once found a strap-on that someone had left behind.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 February 2021 source ↗
Jimmy Akingbola
British-Nigerian TV, theatre and film actor
Working in a warehouse, packing frozen meat. It was a nightmare: I hate the cold and it was very tough.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2020 source ↗
More from Steph McGovern
View profile →Some famous people. I am not giving you names.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 November 2020 source ↗
At the beginning of lockdown; it was just me and my new baby and my partner in the house. It was lovely.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 November 2020 source ↗
Falling off what we in Middlesbrough call a “tarzy”, a bungee rope. I was swinging on it, fell and broke my arm.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 November 2020 source ↗
Scary, because when you really love, it means that you are really scared of losing it as well.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 November 2020 source ↗
As a good friend.
Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 28 November 2020 source ↗
For Good, from the bit in Wicked the Musical where the two witches go their separate ways. The lyrics are about people coming to your life for a reason, who might not stay very long, but there’s a reason they’ve played a part in your life. I well up thinking about it.
Recorded The Guardian, Honest playlist, The Guardian, 15 February 2026 source ↗
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