Willem Dafoe: Which trait do you most dislike in yourself?

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.

Recorded Willem Dafoe said elsewhere, not written here

Punctuality (outside of work, of course).

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, June 2014 source ↗

Others on this question

Felicity Jones British actress

Trying to do a million things at once.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 May 2023 source ↗

That I don’t give myself enough credit.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 October 2025 source ↗

Vick Hope British television and radio presenter

I can’t say no. I am a people-pleaser, and it means that I burn myself out because I take on too much.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 August 2022 source ↗

Ronnie O'Sullivan English snooker player

I’ve got no patience.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 May 2023 source ↗

Discovering Rome on my scooter with my wife when we first met.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, June 2014 source ↗

A crippling accident.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, June 2014 source ↗

Bob Dylan: his great gift as a poet and musician, his long, incorruptible career—and he continues to tour constantly.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, June 2014 source ↗

How doesn’t matter—it’s when that matters. When I’m ready!

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 24 June 2014 source ↗

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