Dailyish Confessional: Clinking wine glasses whether you say Cheers!, ¡Salud!, Cin Cin! or any other salutation should be a celebratory and fun experience! Strangely enough, it can be awkward or even result in disaster such as a chipped wine glass! How on earth can something so universal be so uncomfortable! I must confess, an awkward cheers can ruin a celebration for me!
Simple tips can eliminate any potential awkwardness and can even help you follow traditional etiquette (yes there really is such a thing!) to avoid those uncomfortable moments! Here are a few tips, even points of etiquette to make every Cheers! a great experience!
Clinking Glasses
SURPRISE! According to many manners or etiquette experts, when a toast is made, you are not actually supposed to clink your glass with others, merely raise your glass with a slightly extended arm. Who knew! Clinking glasses is much more accepted in some countries, especially the U.S. where we typically do not hesitate to clank our glasses together at every opportunity. The simple sound of two crystal glasses chiming together always makes me smile so if you’re a clinker, clink away!
How you do so can dramatically change the experience for you and for those joining in your toast. Never clink at the rim of the glass – this can lead to disaster! Chips, cracks, shared germs (yup, you heard me) are all dastardly deeds clinking the rim of a wine glass can create. Instead, tilt your glass 45° and aim for the fattest part of the bowl of the wine glass as a connection point. Not only will this enhance the lovely chime, it will avoid any potential breaks or awkwardness. Learn more in DOMSOM.us’s wine education for wine enthusiasts!
It’s All in the Eyes
In many cultures, toasting another person without locking eyes is considered rude! Super tempting as it is to keep your eye on your glass while toasting (especially when aiming to connect at the widest part of the bowl!), you may be offending the very person you intend to be toasting or cheering! OUCH!
Making these two minor changes, where you clink (should you be a clinker) and locking eyes, will take all of the awkwardness out of any Cheers!, ¡Salud!, or Cin Cin! you will ever wish to make! Here’s to great toasts and amazing celebrations!
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