Some gestures say more than words. Lifting a glass, locking eyes, and clinking with intention? That’s an international love language — the toast. Whether champagne on New Year’s Eve or a round of tequila shots with your crew, the ritual of raising a glass is everywhere… but how it’s done varies wildly from one corner of the globe to the next.
I’ve always been fascinated by this tiny but powerful moment that kicks off a celebration. Between travels, friends from different backgrounds, and a few awkward faux pas (I’m looking at you, German eye contact rule), I’ve picked up some fun — and sometimes essential — things about how the world says “cheers.”
Let’s take a spirited trip around the world to discover toasting traditions and how to do them right (because no one wants to curse themselves with seven years of bad sex in Germany, trust me). Whether you’re hosting an international dinner party or just want to level up your next toast, this one’s for you.
France: Santé, Simplicity, and Eye Contact
In France, where the art of savoring is practically a birthright, toasting is understated but meaningful. The classic word is “santé” (“to your health”), and it’s best delivered with quiet elegance and… yes, firm eye contact.
French folks take the act of toasting seriously: no crossing arms while clinking, no toasting with water (bad luck!), and always a direct gaze. It’s polite, it’s ritualistic, and it’s one of the fastest ways to blend in at a dinner party in Paris or Provence.
Pro tip: If you’re in a smaller gathering, wait for everyone to have their glass before you toast. And if someone toasts to you, it’s polite to return the favor soon after.
Germany: Prost and Precision
Let me paint a scene: Oktoberfest, liters of beer, hearty singing, and somewhere in the din, someone shouts “Prost!” You clink, you drink… and suddenly your German friend gasps because you didn’t look into their eyes. Cue the folklore: seven years of bad sex is now on your unfortunate horizon (yikes).
In Germany, toasting is more than tradition — it’s etiquette. The word « Prost » (from the Latin “prosit,” meaning “may it be good”) is standard for beer, wine, or schnapps. And yes, eye contact is mandatory. Each person should have the chance to clink with the others individually, especially in small groups.
Don’t: Toast with water.
Do: Wait until everyone is served, hold your glass low (you’re not fencing), and don’t gulp before the toast has been made.
Japan: Kampai with Hierarchy
My first business dinner in Tokyo taught me more about social respect than a management course ever could. In Japan, the toast is serious business. The go-to word is « Kampai! », and it kicks off the drinking — which no one starts until the toast is said.
Hierarchy plays a big role here. The most senior person usually initiates the toast, and younger or junior people will subtly hold their glass lower when clinking with someone of higher status — it’s all about showing respect without making it a big show.
Trivia: “Kampai” translates literally to “dry cup,” reflecting the cultural encouragement to finish that first sip (if not the whole drink, depending on the setting).
Mexico: ¡Salud! with Style
In Mexico, toasts are loud, lively, and often come with a little story or joke. “¡Salud!” — to health — is the default, and you’ll hear it over rounds of mezcal, tequila, or a well-made Paloma. Toasting isn’t boxed into formality here — it’s about bringing everyone into the celebration.
Want to sound like you know what you’re doing? Try this playful toast:
Arriba! (up), abajo! (down), al centro! (center), y pa’ dentro! (inside!)
It’s usually said while moving the glass in the direction mentioned before taking the shot. Think of it as the tequila starter chant.
Hosting tip: If you’re organizing a Mexican-themed night, set up a DIY mezcal tasting with orange slices and salt infused with ground chapulines (roasted grasshoppers… yes, really). It’s authentic, bold — and surprisingly tasty.
Russia: Depth and Dedication
Toasting in Russia isn’t a prelude — it’s the main performance. Forget your quick “cheers” and move into poetic territory. Russians value long, meaningful toasts that reflect friendship, love, family, or shared struggles. Vodka is the drink of choice, of course, and never, I repeat never, sipped. It’s tossed back in one smooth motion.
Every round of drinks often begins with a fresh toast — and the first one is normally delivered by the host. After that, it passes around the table. If you’re ever invited to a Russian dinner, come prepared with a heartfelt toast (or a translator friend who can help you prep one).
Anecdote: During a visit to St. Petersburg, my friend Katya toasted “to the friends who became family.” I may have spilled half my neat vodka in the process of holding back tears. Russian toasts hit deep.
China: Ganbei and Generosity
In China, the act of toasting is strongly tied to generosity, respect, and relationship-building. The toast word is « Ganbei », meaning “dry your cup” — a direct request that you finish your drink in one go (similar to Japan’s “kampai,” but often more insistent).
At banquets or dinners, it’s common to toast repeatedly during the meal. If someone toasts you directly, you’re expected to respond — ideally, by returning the gesture with a toast of your own. Like in Japan, holding your glass slightly lower than someone more senior is part of respectful drinking etiquette.
Etiquette nuance: If you want to turn down a strong drink, you can take a symbolic sip or toast with tea instead. But refusing outright without explanation? Culturally risky.
Italy: Cin Cin and Casual Elegance
Italians toast with the breezy elegance you’d expect from a country that turned eating into an art form. “Cin cin” (pronounced “chin chin”) has a playful ring to it and is your go-to phrase whether you’re sipping Aperol spritzes in Milan or red wine over a Tuscan feast.
This version of a toast stems from the sound of clinking glasses itself — “cin cin” echoes that titular chime. Toasting is warm, inclusive, and more about togetherness than procedure.
Reminder: Italians also avoid toasting with water… but they’ll usually forgive your faux pas with a shrug and a refill.
Sweden: Skål and Structured Cheers
In Sweden, toasting follows a very clear structure — especially at formal dinners or midsommar feasts. Expect the event to be kicked off by a toastmaster, then followed by intermittent toasts (often humorous or romantic tributes) between courses.
Say “Skål” (which rhymes roughly with “hole”), make eye contact, clink gently if close enough, then take a sip — but don’t lower your gaze just yet! Hold the eye contact a beat more before placing your glass back down. It’s like a blueberry schnapps-powered stare-down, in the best way.
Bonus fact: “Skål” originates from the Old Norse word for a drinking bowl — a nod to long communal tables and shared celebrations.
South Africa: To Diversity and Warmth
In South Africa, where a mix of cultures and languages shapes the social landscape, toasts are as diverse as the people giving them. You might hear “cheers,” “siyaphuza” (in Zulu), “gesondheid” (Afrikaans for good health), or any blend depending on the group.
The common thread? Connection. South Africans toast to community, to resilience, and to the future with a warmth that cuts through any formality. Braais (barbecues) are fertile ground for rounds of casual, heartfelt cheers.
Hosting idea: Pair a local South African wine (like a pinotage) with grilled lamb skewers at your next gathering, and invite guests to share toasts — it adds meaning to the moment and fosters real connection.
Cheers, Chin-chin, or Целим се?
As different as these customs are, they all point to the same thing: drinking is rarely just about the drink. Whether it’s said with vodka, vermouth, or a craft cocktail in hand, raising your glass is about honoring the people around you, setting intentions for the night, and creating space for celebration.
The key? Know your audience, lead with sincerity, and always — always — make eye contact (OK, maybe especially in Germany).
So next time you mix up one of your favorite recipes from here at Liz Cocktails, why not pair it with a toast that takes you somewhere new?
Skål, kampai, santé — and cheers to that.