Introduction: The Proust Questionnaire has its origins in a parlor game popularized (though not devised) by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering these questions, an individual reveals his or her true nature. Here is the basic Proust Questionnaire.
Sources of inspiration: My acquaintance with this survey comes courtesy of a blog I stumbled upon, and I’ve filled it out to give you a sneak peek into the spectacle that is me.
- What is your idea of perfect happiness?
- Being free and savoring the flavor of that freedom.
- What is your greatest fear?
- Feeling utterly powerless and useless, like a superhero on a permanent vacation.
- What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
- Greed!
- What is the trait you most deplore in others?
- Stupidity and negativity - the ultimate buzzkills。
- Which living person do you most admire?
- Elon Musk - the man, the myth, the meme lord himself!
- What is your greatest extravagance?
- Always looking forward to tomorrow, ‘cause who knows what awesome surprises await?
- What is your current state of mind?
- Serenity now! Or at least, I’m working on it.
- What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
- Traditional Chinese filial piety.
- On what occasion do you lie?
- Constantly. :(
- What do you most dislike about your appearance?
- Height. (Not dissatisfied, just realistic!)
- Which living person do you most despise?
- Myself, on a bad hair day.
- What is the quality you most like in a man?
- Rationality。
- What is the quality you most like in a woman?
- Believing she’s Wonder Woman, or at least a woman, because why not?
- Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
- Cuteness, I use it to describe absolutely everything in the world.
- What or who is the greatest love of your life?
- Myself, because self-love is the real MVP.
- When and where were you happiest?
- In the moments of giving, creating, and then harvesting - it’s like baking a cake and getting to eat it too, with no calories involved.
- Which talent would you most like to have?
- Wisdom, wisdom, and more wisdom. Who needs party tricks when you can be Einstein?
- If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
- The next thing I am going to do. Well, if I knew what needed changing, I’d be on it quicker than you can say ‘self-improvement’!
- What do you consider your greatest achievement?
- Still being a student of the boundless knowledge. Because let’s face it, graduation is overrated and learning is the real party trick.
- If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
- Can it get worse than this?
- Where would you most like to live?
- I’ve got the heart of a nomad. But right now, Tokyo is calling my name. It’s the sushi, the games, or just the Kabukichō—count me in!
- What is your most treasured possession?
- My sense of humor, hands down. It’s the invisible cape that gets me through life’s battles. Plus, it doesn’t require dry cleaning.
- What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
- Cutting ties with someone. With 8 billion people out there, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
- What is your favorite occupation?
- Independent developer, digital nomad?
- What is your most marked characteristic?
- Please refer to my answer for question 22. They have consistency!
- What do you most value in your friends?
- Just flip my answer to question 4.
- Who are your favorite writers?
- Looks like I need to hit the books more. At this rate, my favorite author might just become the person who writes the shortest helptext.
- Who is your hero of fiction?
- Jobs! Steve Jobs! I know, I know, not exactly a fictional character, but reading his biography feels like diving into a wizard’s spellbook.
- Which historical figure do you most identify with?
- Well, you’ll find out in question 28, won’t you?
- Who are your heroes in real life?
- Myself, and everyone who loves me. (Oh, I love you guys!)
- What are your favorite names?
- None.
- What is it that you most dislike?
- Just flip my answer to question 26.
- What is your greatest regret?
- Not enjoy today.
- How would you like to die?
- Boom shakalaka, and 💀.
- What is your motto?
- I am finding it, always.