Monday, December 29, 2008

Raise Your Glass

We all know that it’s common etiquette to tip our glasses to each other and toast before taking that first sip. In fact, every country in the world has some type of drinking toast. The origin of clinking glasses to toast is said to come from medieval times when it was a sign from the host that the drink was good and not spoiled. In the United States, we say cheers. But there are many variations on this throughout the world. Here are a few of our favorites.

Prost = Germany
Chin = France
Kanpai = Japan
Kippis = Finland
Salute or Cin Cin = Italy
Salud = Spain or Mexico
Za Vas = Russia
Gia Mas = Greece
Saude = Portugal
Sawasdi = Thailand
Na Zdravi = Czechoslovakia
Kong Chien = Chinese
Kia-Ora = New Zealand

So raise your glass this New Year’s and toast to 2009…

Written by Linzi

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