Robert Evans: What is the trait you most deplore in others?

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.

Recorded Robert Evans said elsewhere, not written here

False humility.

Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, December 2013 source ↗

Others on this question

Certainty. I also can’t stand it when someone calls you and then says, “Wait, I need to put my headphones in.”

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

John Simm English musician and actor

Arrogance, bullying, meanness – just try to be kind, it’s not difficult.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 March 2023 source ↗

Olivia de Havilland Film actress; twice winner of the Academy Award for Best Actress

The deception and exploitation of the naïve and defenseless.

Recorded Vanity Fair, 7 February 2005 source ↗

Lack of self-criticism.

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

Being there through thin and thin. That’s friendship treasured.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 1 December 2013 source ↗

At the altar all seven times.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, December 2013 source ↗

Anyone who can laugh at themselves.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, December 2013 source ↗

Flirting with danger.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, December 2013 source ↗

Search the directory for somebody in particular.