What’s the sound everyone associates with a toast? That’s right, it’s the clink two wine or champagne glasses make when you tap them together. Clinking glasses is an important part of any toast, but do you have any idea why we clink our glasses? What’s behind the clinking?
In this blog post, we’ll look at wine toasting and clinking glasses etiquette. By the end of the page, you’ll be an expert who knows how to make a toast (both in public and in private) and clink glasses the right way!
Clinking Glasses: Why do we clink glasses? When did we start clinking glasses?
Most of us toast and clink glasses without thinking. It’s something we learned to do at a young age, and the habit remained into adulthood. What does “clink” mean? Clink is the onomatopoeic word (=the formation of a word from a sound associated with it) used to describe the sound of two wine glasses tapping against each other. The sound of clinking glasses probably comes to mind as you read this. But why do we clink glasses? Where did the tradition of clinking glasses come from?
A Short History of Clinking Glasses
According to The Farmers’ Almanac, there are different theories going around about the history of clinking glasses and toasting. What we do know is that the Romans and Greeks and other ancient civilizations honoured their gods by toasting to them. Perhaps this is where the practise of modern day cheers-ing and toasting comes come. Another theory holds that it was a way to ward off evil spirits who hung around festive occasions to tempt men and women. And yet another theory holds that, in the middle ages, clinking glasses was a way to mix the contents from each cup and ensure that guests and hosts weren’t poisoning each other. Or perhaps we started clinking glasses more when glass wine glasses came to be and we realised the sound of clinking glass was a pleasant one … whatever the true origins, the act of clinking glasses and toasting has been happening for quite a long time!
Wine Toasting and Clinking Glasses Etiquette: How to clink glasses the right way
We tend to clink glasses without really thinking about what we’re doing. After all, we’re happy and celebrating, and it’s a reflexive gesture. But is there a “right way” to clink glasses? The answer: Yes, there is. It’s all pretty obvious really, but a useful reminder nonetheless. Here are four tips you need to know.
Clinking Glasses Tip #1: NEVER clink the rims
Take a look at your average glass of wine, and you’ll notice that the rims are thin. This means they’re fairly fragile and will shatter easily if you tap them too hard. Crystal wine glasses are even thinner than glassware, and thus are more likely to break. When clinking glasses, never clink the rims together. You may crack the wine glass. Even if you don’t break the glass during your toast, the repeated clinking can weaken the glass and make it more prone to breakage.
Another downside of clinking rims: you’re more likely to spill wine. To clink the rims of the glass, you have to tilt the glass toward your guest. The forward motion of the clink could cause wine to slosh over the rim of your glass, making a mess. Don’t do it!
Clinking Glasses Tip #2: Clink the bell
All wine glasses have a bell – the rounded part in the middle of the glass. This is the strongest part of the glass, and the best part to clink. You should always tap the bell of your glass to the bell of your guest’s glass. Not only will it reduce the risk of breakage, but it produces a delightful chiming sound that you’d never get by clinking the rim. Make sure that you hold your glass at the right angle. Tilt the glass slightly toward yourself, keeping the rim away from your partner’s glass. Tap the bell of your glass to the bell of theirs for a proper clink.
Clinking Glasses Tip #3: Be gentle
The last thing you want is to shatter your glass with an overly forceful toast. The beauty of glass is that it produces the gentle clink even with minimal contact. Use a gentle hand as you clink your glasses together.
Clinking Glasses Tip #4: Don’t overfill your wine glass
With the right amount of wine in your glass, no more than a third full, you will get that nice clink sound with a gentle tap. If your wine glass is too full, the clink will be muted. For a proper toast, fill your glass with a little wine, toast, and drink. You can always ask the waiter to pour more wine once your glass is empty. Whether you’re at awine tasting, a wedding, or serving wine at a dinner party, it’s important that you know how to serve (and drink) wine properly.
Clinking glasses is an important part of any toast, but you do it as a polite gesture to your host or fellow guests. Knowing how to do it right will prove that you are a sophisticated person who knows their way around a glass of wine.
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FAQs
If the group is large, it is not necessary to clink glasses when a toast is made. Instead, just raise your glass and take a sip. If the group is small and you wish to touch glasses, look the other person in the eye when you do. Use proper toasting etiquette.
What is the proper toasting etiquette? ›
The toast proposer should raise their glass and says the toast, ending with the name of the person/people/organisation that is being toasted. Everyone else then raises their glass, and repeats the name.
What is the superstition about clinking glasses? ›
For example, sailors tend to avoid clinking glasses in a toast as there is a superstition that when a glass rings, it tolls the death of a sailor. Thus, any ringing glass is immediately stopped. Similarly, sailors avoid toasting with water, as superstition states this will cause the person toasted to drown.
What do you say when raising a glass for toast? ›
*Do not clink glasses, especially if there are more than four people involved. It's an old custom having to do with driving away evil spirits, and it's bad news for glassware. Simply lift your glass and say, "Hear, hear", or "Cheers." *Do keep your toast short.
In which country is it rude to clink glasses? ›
Don't clink glasses in Hungary.
Commonly, when making a toast, you would clink glasses to celebrate. However, this can be considered rude in Hungary. During a conflict with Austria, and after their defeat in 1848, it is said that Austrians celebrated their triumph by clinking their glasses of beer.
Why don't some people clink glasses? ›
At the beginning of the 20th century, clinking glasses began to be interpreted as a working-class tradition and thus was abandoned by those with more refined manners. So, clink if you wish, but be aware that it is not practiced, nor condoned, in certain circles. As always, take your lead from the host of the table!
What is the order of toasting etiquette? ›
General Toasting Guidelines
The order is this: Wait for everyone to get a drink, raise glass, words spoken (see following table for suggested words), optional clink, drink. (Some varsity-level drinkers have taken to tapping the bottom of their glasses on the table post-clink and pre-sip.
What are three things a person should do when giving a toast? ›
Essential Elements of a Good Toast
To give a toast that leaves an impression, you need to master certain key elements. These include sincerity, brevity, humor, and timing.
What can I say instead of cheers when toasting? ›
Other synonyms include: here's to you; good health; your health; and informally, bottoms up! The practice of saying cheers dates back centuries and is usually accompanied by the clinking of glasses filled with wine, beer, whiskey, tequila, champagne, or any other alcoholic drink, and even water.
What does it mean to turn your glass upside down after a toast? ›
To show his respect to the crowd, the host will usually turn his glass upside down after he drinks as a gesture to display that it is empty.
In Ireland, it was believed that liquor contained spirits that might be harmful if consumed, and tapping the glass dispelled those spirits. In drinking contests, tapping your beer could cause the foam to settle, making it easier to finish quickly.
What is the ritual of clinking guests wine glasses at a party? ›
The acclamation is followed by the clinking of glasses, often linked to other rules like making eye contact. This ritual is commonly attributed to a medieval custom, whereby one could avoid being poisoned by one's drinking companions, as a few drops of each beverage got mixed when clinking glasses.
How do you clink wine glasses etiquette? ›
Make sure that you hold your glass at the right angle. Tilt the glass slightly toward yourself, keeping the rim away from your partner's glass. Tap the bell of your glass to the bell of theirs for a proper clink.
What to say in wine toasting? ›
You can use 'em or make your own.
- A toast to Health | Life | Longevity. “I'll drink to your happiness and to your health, ...
- A toast to Togetherness | Friendship | Love. “Let us always be friends, ...
- A toast to Happiness | Freedom. ...
- A toast to Thankfulness | Appreciation | Honor. ...
- A toast to Drinking | Letting Loose | Letting Go.
The Norms and Etiquette of Toasting
- Make Eye Contact: When delivering a toast, make eye contact with the individuals you are addressing. ...
- Stand and Raise Your Glass: It is customary to stand and raise your glass before delivering a toast. ...
- Keep it Brief: A good toast is concise and impactful.
Some people tap their glass on the bar as a quiet tribute to absent friends and comrades. In Ireland, it was believed that liquor contained spirits that might be harmful if consumed, and tapping the glass dispelled those spirits.
What is the rule for eye contact during cheers? ›
In particular, there's a superstition in several European countries that eye contact must be maintained during the toast. If it is not, the spiritual and “bad-luck” penalties can be fairly harsh. According to lore, if you break eye contact during the toast, you'll suffer seven years of bad sex!
