The Perfect Toast, ilazed, italian culture, italian toast, cin cin, cheers

Is there a way to make a perfect toast? Are there rules we can follow when we celebrate? Of course there are. According to etiquette, there is a way to make a perfect toast, and in today’s article, titled “Il Brindisi Perfetto”, you’ll find out more! :)

The holiday season is coming, and besides big reunions and long banquet tables, there’s another element that can’t be missing: the toast. So, taking inspiration from an interesting article I read a while ago, I’d like to share with you the “Perfect Toast Etiquette.”

What a Toast Is

A toast is a ritual of good wishes practiced around the world, in which glasses are raised, wine (or sparkling wine) is drunk, and sometimes speeches are made.

You can find it at every proper party, celebration, and reunion. According to etiquette, it is possible to make the perfect toast by following a few rules, which you can find in the next few lines.

1. Making the toast at the right moment

According to etiquette, a toast is made before or after lunch or dinner, not in the middle of the meal. The host or the guest of honor can also make a short speech to make the toast more personal.

2. Saying the right thing

Normally, during a toast, we Italians tend to say all sorts of things just to say “cheers!”:

A noi!
Alla nostra!
Alla salute!
Cin Cin!

But according to etiquette, there is only one expression to use: Prosit!

Prosit comes from Latin and is very common in German-speaking countries.

Etymologically speaking, “Prosit” comes from “Prosum”, which in Latin means “to benefit” or “to be good for.” That’s why it is considered the perfect phrase for a toast, wishing fortune and prosperity.

3. No noise and no “Cin Cin”

To make a perfect toast, we need to avoid things that might make us seem unrefined or unsophisticated.

No noise

Etiquette experts recommend avoiding noise. Whether it’s clinking glasses for a toast, tapping a glass with a fork, or making a loud pop when opening a bottle, it doesn’t matter. The most important thing is to avoid being loud, as it is considered rude and inappropriate.

No Cin Cin

A little while ago, I mentioned that there are several ways to make a toast, but one is definitely more common than the others: Cin Cin. This expression appears to come from the Chinese language and spread after meetings between European sailors and merchants with Chinese people. Sailors also seem to have used it as a good luck wish before setting out to sea.

Despite its widespread use, etiquette experts prefer to avoid the form Cin Cin in favor of the previously mentioned Prosit.

But why?

First of all, the sound of Cin Cin is used in very informal situations, which are not considered very elegant.

Furthermore, in Italy, during more formal events where toasts are expected, people tend to prefer Italian words or phrases that represent them and tell their story, just like “Prosit,” a Latin word used by the Romans and, for this reason, once widely known throughout the Roman Empire.

4. Toasting with wine

We’ve now reached the end of this list of rules, and the last point worth mentioning for making a perfect toast is to avoid toasting with water (a drink that, for us Italians, is considered unlucky if used during a toast).

But what if someone doesn’t drink wine?

The perfect toast is inclusive. Everyone should take part in the celebration, even those who don’t drink alcohol.

Teetotalers, for example, can pour a little wine—just a drop if they like—into their glass, then raise it to their lips and pretend to take a sip!

This little trick ensures that all guests can fully participate in the event and secure their share of good luck, which never hurts!

Conclusion

In this article, I’ve talked about something very curious and unique: the etiquette of the perfect toast.

But don’t worry. I’m not asking you to follow these rules to the letter. That’s not my intention, especially since you probably already know that most Italians love joy, liveliness, and celebrations.

We Italians, especially in company, are loud, boisterous, and fully aware that we can be a bit over the top. It’s no coincidence that in a famous advertisement, a foreign girl says: