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Toasting around the world - eye contact, words, and what not to do

You raise a glass with a group of people from different countries and suddenly you are not sure whether to look the other person in the eye, which word to use, and when exactly to drink. A toast seems a simple gesture, but around the world it is raised very differently, and small mistakes can give away a lack of experience. Despite this diversity, a few rules recur across many cultures, like eye contact, waiting for the shared moment, and the right words. Here is a cross-cultural guide to toasting, covering eye contact, the words raised in different countries, the moment when it is appropriate to drink, the question of toasting with water, the difference between drinking down and sipping, and the most common faux pas worth avoiding over wine, whisky, beer, or sake, so that you can raise a toast with class whatever company you find yourself in.

Eye contact - a basic in many cultures

One of the most frequently recurring rules is eye contact during a toast. In many cultures, especially European ones, looking the other person in the eye at the moment of clinking glasses is considered obligatory. It is regarded as an expression of sincerity, respect, and attention toward the other person. A lack of eye contact is sometimes taken as rudeness or a sign of insincerity. In some traditions a playful superstition about bad luck is even tied to the lack of eye contact. Understanding that eye contact is key helps you raise a toast properly. It is a simple gesture that in many places carries great weight. Awareness that at the moment of a toast it is worth looking the other person in the eye lets you avoid an unwitting faux pas. Holding the gaze during the clinking of glasses shows respect and engagement. This almost universal rule is a good starting point, because it works across many cultures and is rarely taken badly, whatever drink is in the glass.

The words of a toast around the world

It is worth learning the words raised during toasts in different countries, because knowing even a few makes a good impression. Every culture has its traditional call with which it raises a glass. Below is a short summary of a few popular toasts from around the world.

Knowing these words lets you join in a toast in international company. Using the right call shows respect for the other person culture and testifies to experience in raising a toast.

Wait for the toast to drink

An important rule is not to start drinking before the toast is raised. In many cultures it is appropriate to wait until the host or the person leading the gathering raises their glass and says the toast. Starting to drink before the shared toast is sometimes taken as a lack of experience or haste. This custom underlines that the first sip is a communal gesture rather than an individual one. So it is worth waiting until everyone is ready and drinking only after the toast. Understanding that you have to wait for the toast helps you behave properly at the table. It is a simple but important element of etiquette. Awareness that the first sip follows the shared raising of glasses lets you avoid a faux pas. Do not get ahead of the group or start drinking on your own when a toast is coming. This attentiveness to the shared moment shows respect toward the host and the other guests. Waiting for the toast is a sign that you understand that the shared raising of glasses opens the drinking among those gathered.

Do not toast with water

It is worth knowing that in some cultures you do not toast with water, because it is considered inappropriate. In certain traditions toasting with water is tied to negative symbolism or superstition, and it is even taken as an ill omen for the person the toast concerns. In such cultures it is better to raise the toast with another drink or merely lift the glass symbolically, without drinking water as a toast. This custom is interpreted differently depending on the place, so it is worth being careful. Understanding that water can be an inappropriate choice for a toast helps you avoid an unwitting faux pas. It is not about a rigid ban binding everywhere but about sensitivity to local superstitions. Awareness that in some cultures toasting with water is frowned upon lets you behave with feel. If you do not drink alcohol, it is worth raising the toast with another non-alcoholic drink. This attentiveness to local beliefs shows experience and lets you avoid an unintended breach of manners during a toast in different cultures.

Bottoms up or sipping

It is worth understanding that the amount you drink after a toast also varies across cultures. Some calls suggest drinking to the bottom, like the Japanese Kanpai or the Chinese Gan bei, which literally refer to emptying the glass. In such contexts, especially with stronger drinks and formal toasts, drinking the whole portion is expected. In other cultures a toast ends with just a sip, and the rest of the drink is calmly sipped on. Much depends on the kind of drink and the character of the gathering. Understanding this difference helps you behave properly and not commit a faux pas. You do not always have to drink everything, but sometimes it is expected. Awareness that some toasts mean drinking to the bottom and others only a sip lets you adapt to the situation. It is worth observing the host and other guests to know how much to drink. This sensitivity to context guards against both excessive downing and too restrained a sip when emptying the glass to the bottom is expected.

What not to do

It is worth knowing a few behaviors better avoided during a toast, because in some cultures they count as a faux pas. In certain traditions you should not cross arms when clinking glasses with several people, because it is considered awkward or unlucky. In some countries there are also specific customs, like the Hungarian one, in which glasses are traditionally not clinked, especially with beer. It is also worth not raising a toast in a hurry or ignoring the people beside you by skipping eye contact. Understanding what you do not do is as important as knowing the right gestures. It guards against an unwitting breach of manners in unfamiliar company. Awareness that certain behaviors are sometimes frowned upon lets you be careful. It is not about knowing every local rule but about keeping attentiveness and feel. Observing the surroundings and avoiding haste help you not commit a faux pas. This care in gestures shows respect for the culture in which you happen to be raising a toast among other guests.

The gesture and the vessel

It is worth paying attention to the very gesture of clinking glasses and to the vessel, because here too there are local customs. In some cultures there are specific gestures, like the German custom of tapping the base of the mug on the table before drinking beer. When clinking glasses, it is worth doing it gently so as not to spill the drink or damage the glass. Traditionally you clink with the lower part of the glass rather than the rim, which is safer and elegant. It is also worth matching the gesture to the kind of vessel, one way with a delicate wine glass, another with a solid mug. Understanding that the gesture and the vessel matter helps you raise a toast with feel. These are small details that make up the full picture of etiquette. Awareness that the clink should be gentle and made with the right part of the vessel lets you avoid awkwardness. Matching the gesture to the drink and the vessel shows experience. These subtleties, though small, are part of the culture of raising a toast in different traditions and situations.

Observe the host

The safest universal rule, when you do not know the local customs, is to observe the host and the other guests. Since toasts are raised so differently around the world, it is hard to know all the rules of every culture. In such a situation it is best to watch how others behave and imitate them. If the host waits to drink until the toast, wait too. If everyone looks each other in the eye at the clink, do the same. If the toast means drinking to the bottom, adapt to the group. Understanding that observation is the best strategy guards against a faux pas in an unfamiliar context. You do not have to know every rule if you can attentively follow others. Awareness that imitating the host is safe gives peace of mind in international company. Instead of fearing a mistake, it is enough to keep attentiveness and flexibility. This readiness to adapt is a mark of true experience. Observing the surroundings lets you raise a toast properly even when you do not know the details of the local tradition.

How to raise a toast with class

Let us sum up how to raise a toast with class whatever the culture and drink. Above all, keep eye contact when clinking glasses, because it is an almost universal rule. Learn a few toast words, like Slainte, Prost, Kanpai, or Gan bei, to join in international company. Wait for the shared toast to drink and do not get ahead of the group. Note whether the toast means drinking to the bottom or just a sip, and adapt. Avoid toasting with water where it is frowned upon. Clink gently, with the lower part of the vessel, and observe the host when you do not know the custom. These simple rules will let you raise a toast confidently in any company. The most important things are attentiveness, respect, and a readiness to adapt. Conscious toasting shows experience and cultural sensitivity. Thanks to this, in every situation, over wine, whisky, beer, or sake, you will raise a glass with class, showing respect to both the host and the other guests.

Key takeaways

Although toasts are raised differently around the world, a few rules recur across many cultures. Eye contact when clinking glasses is almost universal and considered an expression of sincerity and respect. It is worth knowing a few toast words, like Slainte, Prost, Kanpai, or Gan bei, to join in international company. In many cultures you should wait to drink until the host raises the shared toast. In some traditions you do not toast with water, because it is considered an ill omen. Some calls, like Kanpai and Gan bei, mean drinking to the bottom, while others only a sip. It is worth avoiding local faux pas, like crossing arms, and clinking gently with the lower part of the vessel. When you do not know the custom, it is best to observe the host and the other guests. If you enjoy such details and want to taste drinks thoughtfully, GustoNote will help you keep your own journal.