Which Character From “Fawlty Towers” Are You?

By: Zoe Samuel
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Which Character From “Fawlty Towers” Are You?
Image: BBC Two

About This Quiz

"Fawlty Towers" only ran for two seasons, and by today's standards, they were each very short at a mere six episodes. Despite this, it has remained an iconic British sitcom that is one of the most quotable and memorable in television history. Whole families can be reduced to a hilarious blubbering mess by the mere suggestion that someone is "from Barcelona," discussion of whether or not anyone mentioned the War (and if so, who did it first), or reminding someone that, "Your glasses are there!"

As with so much in life, the reason the show resonated so hard even with relatively little content is that it is thoroughly relatable. Everyone has had an experience in a hotel, restaurant, or similar where the service was so awful that it passed through merely disappointing into annoying and thence to the point of being incredibly funny. Eventually, it reaches the existential level of the show, where you simply turn to your fellow guests or customers and say to yourselves, "Why on earth are these people in this industry when they clearly hate customers?" The answer is never forthcoming, and the disastrous stay becomes a funny family story.

The other reason is, of course, deep down, we all know that we've all got a little bit of Basil, Sybil and the gang in us. We've all had a job we weren't right for, wanted just to tell someone what we thought of them, or screwed up so badly that it's no longer sad, it's just funny. This means that we all have a little "Fawlty Towers" in us — and it's time to find out which particular character from the show is in you!

Soldiers marching in desert
Frank Rossoto Stocktrek/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Who mentioned the war?
I did once, but I think I got away with it.
My boss did.
I don't know.
Everyone!

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Woman installing laminate flooring, using a saw indoor
Guido Mieth/DigitalVision/Getty Images
You have to do some home improvement. What is your priority?
Hire the cheapest person
Hire someone competent
I'd probably do it myself.
I would hire someone British!

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Unhappy couple outside talking about problems
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Your spouse is mad at you. What happens next?
Something terrible
They apologise for being unreasonable, I hope.
I emigrate.
I probably apologise.

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Senior woman with laptop
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How do you feel about little old ladies as friends, neighbours or customers?
They're fine.
They're the best!
I like them.
I don't notice them.

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Mixed professionals standing together in their work attire
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What uniform suits you to wear to work?
A suit
An apron
A tux
A blazer

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Young entrepreneur working late in the office
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Are you willing to go beyond your job?
I'm barely willing to do the job itself.
Sure
I would if I could.
I used to.

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Smiling owner standing with arms crossed at store entrance
Maskot Bildbyrå/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Do you ever plan to own your own business?
Yes, but I shall hate it.
No, thanks
Probably not
I wouldn't know how.

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Couple with luggage talking to receptionist at hotel lobby
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Where are you from?
Somewhere very posh
Somewhere regular people come from
Barcelona
I can't say.

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Duck leg confit with citrus sauce
rhkamen/Moment/Getty Images
It's time to order dinner. Duck with orange, duck with cherry or duck surprise?
Trifle!
Duck with cherry
Duck with orange
Duck surprise

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Young man with stomachache
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Have you ever poisoned someone?
Who told you?
I don't think so.
Yes, but it was an accident.
Yes. It was war, what can I say?

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Horse race
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Do you enjoy a flutter on the horses?
Shhh! Don't tell my wife!
A little, yes
No, thanks
Once in a while

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Man kissing and giving gift to woman in restaurant
Chris Ryan/OJO Images/Getty Images
Have you ever forgotten your anniversary?
No, I've only pretended to.
Of course not
Probably
Depends which anniversary you mean

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Waldorf salad
Penina Meisels/Photodisc/Getty Images
Do you know what is in a Waldorf salad?
I don't know, and I'm proud of it!
Of course
I think so.
What is a Waldorf?

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Siberian hamster
Jasius/Moment/Getty Images
Would you ever keep a Siberian hamster as a pet?
It's a rat!
No, thanks
Of course
The only acceptable pet is a dog.

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Modern, luxurious bedroom by ocean
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How easy is it to see the sea from your room?
It's over there between the land and the sky.
I don't want to see the sea.
Quite easy
I fear the sea. It's full of Germans.

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A bouquet of flowers in a vase
Nicholas Eveleigh/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Would you like to buy this lovely vase for £75?
No thanks. I have other plans for my money.
Sure, why not?
I don't have £75.
I don't need a vase, thanks.

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Mid adult couple drinking champagne
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How would you feel about hanging out with a member of the aristocracy?
I'd love that!
I don't care what they are, as long as they're nice.
I'd be too nervous.
I practically am one!

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Hotel Inspector
simarik/E+/Getty Images
What's more interesting than being a hotel inspector?
The spoon trade
Being a waitress
Identifying a hotel inspector
Fighting in a war

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Young man on therapy session
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Some people say everyone should get therapy at some point. How do you feel about that?
That's nonsense.
It's a good idea.
Do what you need to do!
That's not how we Brits do things.

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Customer service representative helping businessman
Tom Merton/OJO Images/Getty Images
What is the biggest difference in the hospitality industry in the UK, as compared to in the U.S.?
The U.S. have to deal with worse guests.
The U.S. does it better.
I haven't been to the U.S., so I don't know.
The U.S. is worse.

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Couple relaxing on hotel room bed
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Would you let an unmarried duo share a room in your hotel?
Absolutely not
It's not my place to judge.
Sure
Probably not

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Couple got caught cheating
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A guest in the hotel is cheating on his wife! Do you tell her?
Absolutely not! I do what I can to make sure they never find out.
It's none of my business!
I might.
Not on purpose, but things slip out, you know?

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Adults wearing formal attire, toasting champagne glasses
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How important is it to climb the social ladder?
It's essential.
It's a waste of time.
It's a good idea.
I could, but I don't want to.

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Various professions
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What career might suit you, other than the hotel industry?
Lawyer
Literally anything
I love hospitality! Don't make me leave!
Military

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Colleagues Problem Solving At Computer Together
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Have you ever worked for someone who is smarter then you?
Absolutely never
I do right now!
I doubt it.
A few times

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Women eating and chatting outdoor
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Are you good at communicating with people who are from very different backgrounds?
Why would I want to do that?
Quite good, yes
No, but I'm trying.
I think so, but they disagree.

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Young Couple Carrying Shoulder Bags Enter a Hotel Room
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If someone brings in a non-paying guest, how do you deal with it?
Kick them out
Ignore it
Report it
I might have done that myself a time or two.

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Waitress serving businessman cup of coffee in hotel lounge
Chris Ryan/OJO Images/Getty Images
A very attractive hotel guest makes eyes at you. What happens next?
I avoid them if I can!
We might date.
I expect a big tip.
I offer to take them to dinner.

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Romantic young couple
Lena Mirisola/Image Source/Getty Images
Do you secretly love your boo, no matter what?
Don't tell them, but yes.
I don't have a boo.
Of course
I did when I had a boo!

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Work colleagues
Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/Getty Images
How do you feel about your work colleagues?
I have nothing but contempt for them.
I have ... a lot of feelings.
They're so mean!
I never met a finer group in my life.

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