Raise a Toast Like The People Of These 15 Countries

Eight days before the wedding, Martin and his friends Doug and Zach flew to Spain for the bachelor party. Martin had planned everything a month ago and booked the best hotel room for the stay. At night they were at a bar when something weird happened.

Martin filled water in their glasses after they had their first round of whiskey. Then, he raised a toast, unaware of the local tradition. Yes, the locals considered raising a toast of a non-alcoholic drink, a misfortune. They received uncanny looks from others at the bar, leaving the trio confused. The bartender sensed the tension and revealed about the tradition. He even narrated how he had invited seven years of bad sex by raising a toast of water.

Yes! That’s the tradition in Spain. Toasting with water or any other non-alcoholic drink can result in a misfortune inviting seven long years of bad sex or no sex at all!

Martin may or may not have believed the misfortune, but he certainly could have avoided the awkward situation which happened in the bar.

Rocky Mountain Barrel Company is one of the best suppliers of used wine barrels and bourbon barrels. We have always recognized our customers’ efforts to use the barrel in the most innovative ways. We believe in helping customers with our excellent services and advice. In this blog, we bring you some astounding traditions of raising a toast around the world.

1. Japan

The country where the sun rises first has an impressive drinking ritual. In Japan, it’s rude if you pour your drink first. When you are in Japan, you have to first serve to your partner. Then the partner will fill your glass. At last, everyone may have poured drinks to each other in the group. Cheers to the underpinned mutuality!

2. Brazil

Situated in South America, Brazil has its way of toasting. The most common toast here is a toast to health or ‘saúde’ in the local language. Traditionally, the host has to buy one large bottle of beer and pour the drink into small glasses. The technique keeps the beer chilled for a long time. After all the guests get their glasses filled, the host says “Saúde” and the party begins.

3. Ireland

Ireland is the dream destination of everyone who holds love for liquor. Ireland can become the toasting paradise for you if you follow this one rule. If you are the host, then buy a round of booze first for your friends. The next round is on them. Stick to whiskey and keep your preference for rum aside. Irish are very possessive about their whiskey, and you should be too, at least when you are in Ireland! Say “Slainte” and raise the glass.

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4. France

If you are traveling with a woman in France, then you need to pour her a glass first. It’s wrong to serve yourself a drink. Upon serving, wish your friends “à votre santé” (“to your health”) and maintain eye contact while raising the toast. The moment your eye contact breaks, you invite seven years of unhappy sex. The French adore their alcohol and reprimand acts like downing by staring at you until you are out of the bar.

5. Germany

The Germans moved a step further and incorporated the act of toasting into a ritual called Bruderschaft, which means brotherhood. The ceremony takes place when two people start calling each other by their first names. The toast is always made with glasses high and clinking them against each other. The word for cheers here is Prost. Eye contact with the other person is also very significant.

6. Italy

Like the other European countries mentioned here, the habits are the same in Italy. One has to look straight in the eye while making a toast. However, the clinking part is not necessary here. The most common Italian toast is salute, which means to your health. You may also find people toasting by saying cin cin in casual parties.

7. England

England is the place which holds the credit of origin of toasting. However, the English are not much into casual toasting. Neither do they believe in clinking glasses, nor do they maintain eye contact. A simple ‘cheers’ is okay to begin the drinks.

8. Russia

Famous for their act of making a toast before every drink, Russians practice addressing their guests present on an occasion and conveying the reason behind the gathering. In Russia, it’s not customary to drink without a reason. Rest of the toasts are made to parents, the host, or any random event or person.

9. Mexico

Mexicans raise their glasses high in the air and say Salud. The translation of the word refers to someone’s health. Other than this, on New Year’s eve, Mexicans drop a gold ring in their sparkling toasts before cheering Salud. It’s believed that this act brings good fortune.

10. Korea

Heavy boozing isn’t considered a social stigma in Korea. In fact, Koreans consider drinking as one of the biggest factors that help to bond and connect with coworkers and friends. Koreans, just like the Japanese, pour the drinks for someone else and not for themselves. While someone pours the drink for you, hold the glass with both hands. In a formal gesture, the glass is lifted in the right hand, and the left hand is used to support the forearm.

11. Nigeria

Drinking before the marriage is okay in Nigeria. It’s kind of compulsory or you don’t get married. At marriages in Nigeria, the local tradition observes the father of the bride filling a glass of palm wine. Thereafter, the bride is said to carry the wine to the groom. The groom has to drink the wine and hand the glass back to the bride-to-be to take a sip. Happy married life!

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12. Ukraine

In Ukraine, people swallow their wishes with the New Year’s champagne toast. They write down their wishes on a piece of paper, and at midnight, burn the paper. They drop the ashes in a glass of wine and gulp the glass of champagne in the hope of their dreams coming true in the next year.

13. Iceland

Traditionally, Iceland is the best place to booze around. Brennivín, a drink distilled from potato mash and caraway seeds is the most common occasion drink among the locals. The fondness for spirits is such that the Iceland state dedicates two public holidays to alcohol. March 1 is celebrated as the beer day in Iceland, and they also celebrate the drunkest weekend of the year in August called Verslunarmannahelgi.

14. Australia

Australia’s love for beer can be visualized in their bars. In Australia, if someone is keen to make friends at the bar, they have to shout and buy everyone a round of drinks. They consider it rude if someone’s not participating after a person has bought them a round of beer.

15. Hungary

This is one country where people defy clinking glasses while making a toast. The resistance is due to an incident in history. In 1843, 13 Hungarian revolutionaries were executed by Austria. The incident was celebrated in Austria by clinking glasses. Since then, Hungarians resist themselves from this act of clinking glasses.
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Our website, as well as our store, has various products for you to choose from. We are working with a mission to advance the wine industry by providing the best barrels for the aging and fermentation of wine.

Frequently Asked Question
 

1. What is proper toasting etiquette? 

Proper toasting etiquette involves waiting until everyone has a drink, raising your glass slightly, and making brief eye contact. The toast should be short, positive, and followed by only a small sip.
 

2. Should you clink glasses while toasting?

Clinking glasses is optional and depends on cultural traditions and the setting of the gathering. If you choose to clink, do so gently to avoid spills or damaging delicate glassware.
 

3. Is it acceptable to toast with a non-alcoholic drink?

Yes, toasting with a non-alcoholic beverage is completely acceptable and widely practiced. The meaning of a toast lies in the shared moment and gesture, not in the alcohol itself.
 

4. Who should initiate a toast? 

In formal settings, the host or organizer typically initiates the toast. At informal gatherings, anyone may propose a toast as long as it’s done respectfully.
 

5. How much should you drink during a toast?

Only a small sip is expected after a toast, as it is a symbolic gesture. There is no pressure to finish your drink or consume alcohol beyond your comfort level.