Dawn O’Porter: 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.

DO

Dawn O’Porter

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

When I ruin someone else’s story because I think mine is better, so butt in before they’ve finished theirs.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 239 →

Pauline McLynn Irish character actress and author

I talk over people all the time.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 July 2023 source ↗

Clare Bailey Mosley

Time blindness.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 December 2025 source ↗

Frank Cottrell-Boyce British screenwriter, novelist and actor

My inability to say no.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 July 2023 source ↗

Lack of confidence in speaking to the opposite sex.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 September 2023 source ↗

More from Dawn O’Porter

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

The early days of motherhood. We lived in a sweet little bungalow in LA that had a pool. We threw lots of parties. We had a cute dog and a mad Siamese. Trump had never been president, we’d never heard of coronavirus, Claire’s Accessories was still going strong. Good times.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

Question What worries you about getting older? Time & hindsight

So far, getting older has made almost everything better.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

When they ruin my story because they think theirs is better, so butt in before I’ve finished mine.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

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

Hungry, hard-working, cats.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

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

Perimenopausal anxiety, the terrible feeling of impending doom, something awful happening to my children, writing deadlines. Apart from that, I’m quite chilled.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

Question Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? Values & belief

My Auntie Jane. She took me in, aged 10, and, after my mother died, healed my broken heart by filling our dining room with food and people. Still cooking at the grand old age of 89. My icon.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 August 2026 source ↗

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