A woman teaching etiquette to teens and young people on TikTok says she wants others to understand the importance of good manners.
Lucy Challenger, 38, was brought up by parents and grandparents who taught her how to behave in formal situations, like sitting down to fancy dinners.
“They taught me manners and behaviour within the family and also outside the home,” Lucy told The Mirror.
“It was important to them and as I grew older I realised why it was important.
“I was lucky enough to travel and I witnessed different cultures, different manners and etiquette changes. I found the whole thing fascinating.”
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As she made her way around the world, she learned some things that are considered polite in the UK would be insulting in other cultures and vice versa.
She said: “In western etiquette you’re not meant to slurp your soup. But in Asian cultures slurping is more common and it’s considered a compliment to the chef.
“One or the other could cause offence in different parts of the world.”
Similarly, she says there are some cultures in which elbows on the table is the done thing, whereas in many other cultures it’s considered rude.
Lucy, who is the CEO and founder of her company Polo and Tweed, kept up her appreciation of good etiquette as she got older, and now teaches the same values to her own child.
More recently, she decided to share her expertise on a TikTok account to see if she could influence anyone else.
In her videos, Lucy shared advice on how to behave in certain situations like dining at silver service restaurants, helping people understand which cutlery to use for which course, and how to sit at the table.
She also instructed people how to dress at job interviews - and perhaps her most popular videos are teaching how to walk in heels.
When her first walking in heels video shot up to one million views, Lucy was astounded.
“I was really surprised. I think we all have our own worlds and existences and it’s hard to imagine outside of that.
“I’m lucky I get to experience formal dinners - I have clients all over the world and deal with a luxury, high-end market.
“For some people who haven’t travelled or had manners or etiquette taught to them, it’s not on their radar.”
Although Lucy recognises she’s privileged to have been able to travel, she says it’s humbling to know people who may not have had the same opportunities as her are interested in her content.
And while it’s mainly young people who have picked up her videos, people of all ages send her messages of support.
“Some people will say, ‘I’m a 50 year old woman and I was taught this by my grandma’ and thank me for bringing back that family memory,” she said.
Lucy’s channel has become so popular that many of the videos she now makes are in response to questions from people commenting on them.
“Half the channel is now responding to questions and requests, which takes time to do as I do have a job - I’m not a full time influencer,” she said.
Among the requests she’s had are how to eat certain foods like king prawns and grapes - which she needs to sit down and prepare before she can film the videos.
While most of the engagement she receives is positive, Lucy has had some unpleasant comments from people who don’t like her content.
“I don’t allow violent or abusive language on my videos, but I’m pretty resilient. People have their own opinions and I respect that,” she said.
Lucy added: “If I can help a few more people feel confident going for a nice meal or to an interview, then I’ll be happy.”
