Arlo Parks: Which trait do you most dislike in yourself? — FLAPSS

The question

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.

Arlo Parks

Singer-songwriter and poet; Mercury Prize winner

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I want to be a voice for the kid. I mean, it sounds quite contrived, but I want to make music that I would have wanted to hear when I was 14.

The Talks, The Talks, 18 September 2021 source ↗

Others on this question

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I can’t stand the way my voice will crack if I’m making a speech. I hate public speaking and the emotion it dredges up.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, June 2025 source ↗

My ability to make everything about me.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2017 source ↗

Intermittent laziness.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 June 2025 source ↗

Mike Wallace American journalist

Self-absorption.

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

More from Arlo Parks

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Question What does love feel like? Relationships

I want to be a voice for the kid. I mean, it sounds quite contrived, but I want to make music that I would have wanted to hear when I was 14.

Recorded The Talks, The Talks, 18 September 2021 source ↗

Question What has been your biggest disappointment? Failure & regret

I want to be a voice for the kid. I mean, it sounds quite contrived, but I want to make music that I would have wanted to hear when I was 14.

Recorded The Talks, The Talks, 18 September 2021 source ↗

Question What did you want to be when you were growing up? Identity & self

I want to be a voice for the kid. I mean, it sounds quite contrived, but I want to make music that I would have wanted to hear when I was 14.

Recorded The Talks, The Talks, 18 September 2021 source ↗

Question What is your greatest fear? Identity & self

I want to be a voice for the kid. I mean, it sounds quite contrived, but I want to make music that I would have wanted to hear when I was 14.

Recorded The Talks, The Talks, 18 September 2021 source ↗

Question What do you value most in your friends? Relationships

I want to be a voice for the kid. I mean, it sounds quite contrived, but I want to make music that I would have wanted to hear when I was 14.

Recorded The Talks, The Talks, 18 September 2021 source ↗

Question What is your favourite side project? Craft & work

I want to be a voice for the kid. I mean, it sounds quite contrived, but I want to make music that I would have wanted to hear when I was 14.

Recorded The Talks, The Talks, 18 September 2021 source ↗

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