Edith Bowman: What is the worst job you have done? — FLAPSS

What is the worst job you have done?

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.

Recorded Edith Bowman said elsewhere, not written here

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.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 February 2021 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 229 →

Dominic Cooper English actor

I used to clean the ovens in a bakery. Brillo pad and poison.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 August 2017 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 ↗

Noel Clarke English actor and filmmaker

Cleaning the changing rooms at Kensington leisure centre from the age of 16.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 April 2021 source ↗

I was a waitress at a holiday camp. On a Wednesday afternoon all the guys used to pee into the rice pudding and we had to serve it to the customers.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 December 2023 source ↗

More from Edith Bowman

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Question What would you like to be remembered for? Death & what remains

As a nice person who always put others before myself. I’d also like my own posthumous tartan.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 February 2021 source ↗

Question Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought? Money & investment

A pair of Balenciaga boots. They were extortionate, but that has to be at least 10 years ago and I still wear them.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 February 2021 source ↗

Question What does love feel like? Relationships

Something that you can’t describe or put in a box. It changes daily and surprises you when you least expect.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 February 2021 source ↗

Question How close have you come to death? Death & what remains

I had a car crash not long after passing my test, driving mates to a club on a Saturday night. Thankfully, everyone was OK – as was my dad about his car, which was a write-off.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 February 2021 source ↗

Question Who most deserves an apology from you, and why? Failure & regret

Martin Scorsese. I was, let’s say, slightly tactile with him during a Q&A; I was more nervous than I’ve been about anything. I kept tapping his knee, it might even have been bruised by the end.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 February 2021 source ↗

Question What has been your biggest disappointment? Failure & regret

Not having my own chatshow. Yet!

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 February 2021 source ↗

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