Lucy Beaumont: 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.

LB

Lucy Beaumont

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Thinking that I’m right when I’m wrong. But not only that – being able to convince other people I’m right and then finding out I’m wrong.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

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When I’m feeling lazy and I sleep in too much.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2024 source ↗

Outside my very close-knit group of friends, socially I’m terrible.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 January 2026 source ↗

Self-doubt and a reoccurring fear that people would prefer the other Alfred Molina.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2024 source ↗

Angela Griffin British actress and television presenter

Catastrophising.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 August 2022 source ↗

More from Lucy Beaumont

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Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

Some man in the street stopped me and said: “If you were a few inches taller you’d be dangerous.” I’ve no idea what he meant.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Losing my makeup bag.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

I remember going to my auntie Pauline’s house in winter when I was eight or nine and she made me a roast beef sandwich. I ate it and fell asleep next to a fire. I felt like a cat, fed and left to nap.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

Question What thought won't let you sleep? Daily life

Thinking I’ve upset somebody.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

Question How would you sum yourself up in three words? Identity & self

Lovely but useless.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

I worked with Stephen Fry recently and we had a real heart-to-heart. I asked: “What was it like being in prison for being gay?” And thank God someone came in and he didn’t hear me say it. I was mixing him up with when he played Oscar Wilde. I could picture him in his cell.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗

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