Okay, I get it.  Making a toast is a challenge.  You must stand in front of the crowd, think on your feet and come up with something witty.  It is fun but scary.  Then there is the fact that some people choose not to drink – do we leave them out: of course not!  But BEWARE:  raising an empty glass, drinking a toast with water, or looking away while making your speech can have dire consequence.  At least if we believe in the following superstitions:

 Raising your glass of water in response to the toast

According to superstition, you should never make a toast with water in your glass.  This belief comes from the Ancient Greeks.  According to this superstition, the dead would always drink from the River Lethe in the depths of the Underworld, in order to forget their past, corporeal lives. As a result of this story, the Greeks would always toast to the dead with glasses filled with water as it symbolizes the journey to the Underworld.  To propose a toast to somebody with water is akin to wishing bad luck, and maybe even death, on them.  Some people also believe that toasting with water you are also wishing death upon yourself, as this liquid reflects your future watery grave. 

Both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy’s Mess Manual stipulate that one should never toast with glasses of water: “Toasts are usually made with champagne, but other wines are also suitable. At a Mess Night, port wine is used for all toasts. Although civilian practice is more permissive, in the military, toasts are never drunk with liqueurs, soft drinks, or water. Tradition is that the object of a toast with water will die by drowning.

Raising an empty glass in response to a toast

According to Roman etiquette, raising an empty glass symbolizes a wish to negate the wish in someone’s toast.  To toast with an empty glass is to say you enter into a friendship or celebration with empty intentions.  Not sipping your drink (there is no need to drain the glass with each Huzzah), is also a snub to the speaker.

Despite the US Navy prohibition, filling a glass with another palatable, non-alcoholic drink — water, orange juice, seltzer water or various soft drinks – is perfectly acceptable for those who do not drink (it is assumed that all Navy personnel drink like fish).

Never look away during a toast

In Germany and France failing maintain eye contact while toasting will lead to seven years of bad sex.

 Knock the table

In Italy, the tradition is to knock on the table when you enter a pub or tavern to show you are not a demon. In the Middle Ages, pub tables were made of oak, which was considered a holy tree that the devil couldn’t touch. By knocking on the table, you tell your friends you are you and not the devil, which is always nice to know (Note:  The Rgmt Brewmeister doesn’t do this – make your own conclusions😊).

Tap your glass on the bar

Typically, veterans will make a toast then tap their drink or shot on the bar.  If a veteran is giving a toast, they’ll tap the drink on the table or bar to include everyone not with them — the fallen. The tradition dates back to the Roman Empire.  Legionnaires would literally pour half of their first drink on the ground in order to offer it to the dead – similar to taking drops of wine out of your Kiddish cup at a Passover Sedar to diminish the joy.

Now none of these admonitions should prevent you from standing (always best to stand during a toast) and joining in with the festivities.  A hearty round of toasting in a tavern or party unites the crowd and makes everyone feel included in the celebration. 

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