Fearne Cotton: What trait do you most dislike in other people? — FLAPSS

The question

What trait do you most dislike in other people?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A verbatim standing question in The Guardian's rotating Q&A questionnaire, documented across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

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Fearne Cotton

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Superiority. I shrink when I’m around people who act superior, whether it’s due to authority or intellect. I almost become mute.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Looking down at other people. I was brought up to treat people as you treat yourself, with respect. The people you meet on the way up are the people you meet on the way down.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 13 January 2024 source ↗

People taking themselves seriously.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, July 2015 source ↗

Not being able to laugh at themselves.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 April 2025 source ↗

Natalie Imbruglia

Not having the ability to say sorry when they’re wrong.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 July 2026 source ↗

More from Fearne Cotton

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Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

I assumed that once I reached some level of achievement, I would feel fixed.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

Impatience. I’m not very good at waiting around or dealing with things that aren’t moving at a pace that I want them to.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

On radio, I once said “anal” instead of “angel”.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

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

People have said, “I wish you would die.” That’s the stark truth of being in the public eye – people dehumanise you and say ghastly things.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Question As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? Identity & self

An air steward, because I loved airports. I wrote a letter to British Airways when I was seven and I’ve got the reply in the loft, which says, “You’re a bit young at seven but do stay in touch.” I was that kind of kid who was eager to start the ball rolling.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

Question What accomplishment matters most to you? Craft & work

Picking myself back up after very tricky times and trying again.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 March 2026 source ↗

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