RESTAURANT ETIQUETTE
ART OF RAISING A
TOAST
Raising a toast is a very old custom
widely prevalent amongst most cultures. Today, a
toast is raised to honour a person to wish him
or her all the good things in life by way of
continued good health, happiness, prosperity,
love and friendship.
Who Raises
the Toast
The host appoints a person
to officiate as the toastmaster, at every
banquet or ceremonial occasion. If nobody is
nominated, the head of the organisation proposes
the toast at the end of the meal and before any
speeches are made.
On informal occasions,
one can propose a toast as soon as wine is
served.
To open
the bottle, first remove
the wire enclosure around the cork. Hold the
bottle firmly in place by pressing it against
yourself.
In a restaurant, one may
raise the toast as soon as the drinks
arrive. It is a nice gesture at the
beginning of a meal and equally gracious for
guests to raise a toast, especially to the
hostess, at dessert time.
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How to
Raise a Toast
The person proposing the
toast stands up if it is a large gathering
so as to be within view of everyone.
When there are fewer people
and the set-up is informal, the person need
not stand up as the toast is only a friendly
gesture.
The person raising the
toast looks at the person to whom the toast is
being proposed while speaking, and holds the
glass in the right hand. All others present at
the table listen attentively to what is being
said.
The toast should be brief
and not a long speech. It can even be very
short as ‘Here’s to your
health’. But the toast can even become the
single ingredient of making a dinner very
pleasant and lively. The toast, though brief,
should necessarily refer to the person and
occasion concerned.
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After
Proposing a Toast
At the
conclusion of a toast, the glass is raised and a sip taken.
All others present follow
suit by raising their glasses and taking a
sip.
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Response to
a Toast
The
person to whom the toast is raised remains
seated and does not drink but merely smiles and
nods. However, it is a good gesture on the part
of the person to respond by proposing a toast in
return.
A
simple “Thank You” or a short toast
in reciprocation or even a smile and a silent
gesture which means ‘Thank You”
would be enough.
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Reasons for
a Toast
Celebrations such as anniversaries,
success in examinations or a promotion, some
good news, visiting business associates, new
arrivals and farewells in office are some of the
occasions that call for one or several toasts.
A
person who is good to raising toasts can do so
on any occasion.
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Some
popular endings to a Toast
"Cheers" (English)
"Cheers"
(English)
"Kampai" (Japanese)
"Cin Cin Chin"
(Italian)
"Skat" (Scandinavian)
"Avotre Sante"
(French)
"Prost" or "Zum Wohl"
(German)
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