David Hockney
Painter, draughtsman, printmaker and photographer
That I give way too quickly.
Which trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Question
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Time & hindsight
Question
Who most deserves an apology from you, and why?
Failure & regret
Question
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Values & belief
Question
What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?
Failure & regret
Question
What keeps you awake at night?
Daily life
Question
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Identity & self
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.
My lack of foreign language skills.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 April 2026 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 243 →I’m a bit of a hoarder.
Carl Barât
English musician
Fear and all of its consequences.
Self-doubt and a reoccurring fear that people would prefer the other Alfred Molina.
More from Richard Schiff
View profile →Showing up is at least 90% of it.
Both parents, I’ll write the book someday.
Inability to listen.
Hasn’t happened yet, it’s coming.
Wondering why I can’t sleep.
Quietly somewhat funny.
More on identity & self
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Robert De Niro, Eugene Levy, Paapa Essiedu, Judy Blume, Indira Varma, Craig Charles
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