Comparing myself to other people.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 September 2023 source ↗
identity
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.
One of 24 questions in The Q&A here.
Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.
Comparing myself to other people.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 September 2023 source ↗
Appearing angry when I’m not angry.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 December 2023 source ↗
I can’t deal with any level of stress.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 21 September 2024 source ↗
Thinking that I’m right when I’m wrong. But not only that – being able to convince other people I’m right and then finding out I’m wrong.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 26 October 2024 source ↗
Lack of confidence masquerading as perfectionism.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 May 2025 source ↗
I’m judgmental.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 November 2025 source ↗
Self-righteousness and a phobia of embarrassment.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 22 November 2025 source ↗
Doomscrolling on my phone.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 December 2025 source ↗
Outside my very close-knit group of friends, socially I’m terrible.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 31 January 2026 source ↗
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 ↗
I’m monstrously judgmental. It’s like talking to the pope.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 14 March 2026 source ↗
Obsequiousness.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 May 2026 source ↗
Catastrophising.
Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 May 2026 source ↗
Nobody has answered this one yet.