Toast?

[imec]

Do you toast when drinking with others? What is your common toast? Cheers? Salut? Prosit?

I enjoy learning about customs associated with eating and drinking and I especially enjoyed learning of the traditional drinking toasts of the Canadian Navy (borrowed from the Royal Navy) from a naval officer. Apparently they have fallen into disuse of late due to concerns of political correctness (I hate it when that happens).

Monday - Our ships at sea
Tuesday - Our men
Wednesday- Ourselves (as no-one else is likely to concern themselves with our welfare)
Thursday - A bloody war or a sickly season
Friday - A willing foe and sea room
Saturday - Sweethearts and wives (may they never meet)
Sunday - Absent friends

The words in brackets were typically not spoken but were implied or were spoken by some wiseacre not actually making the toast.

[Deleted]

Growing up my parents always toasted in Polish either with "na zdrowie",to your health, or "Stolat",may you live a hundred years. Always. When I saw "the Deer Hunter"for the first time I remember noting that this was done throughout the movie.

[spindrift]

With the Japanese - Kampai
With the Irish - Slainte
The English - cheers (don't like this one)
'to your good health'...
'bottoms up'.....really a terrible one and I wouldn't say it.
In Switzerland ' Prost'...I think
also in Switzerland ' Cheerios'...
also 'Here's looking at you'....because it's considered very rude if you don't look in someone's eyes when you toast them.

[imec]

Aug 8, 2009 19:36:36 GMT spindrift said:

With the Japanese - Kampai
With the Irish - Slainte
The English - cheers (don't like this one)
'to your good health'...
'bottoms up'.....really a terrible one and I wouldn't say it.
In Switzerland ' Prost'...I think
also in Switzerland ' Cheerios'...
also 'Here's looking at you'....because it's considered very rude if you don't look in someone's eyes when you toast them.

Good list spindrift - but what do you say?

[Deleted]

Most of the French say to their friends and family "à la tienne" or "à la votre" -- meaning "to yours." The possession in question is good health, but nobody says "santé" except foreigners.

[auntieannie]

in the french-speaking part of switzerland: "Santé!" (to your health)

[bixaorellana]

Here someone always says "salud" (health) when the first round of drink is taken.

[traveler63]

We just say Cheers!!!!

[existentialcrisis]

lol here's a good one ... in Nova Scotia, particularly in Halifax pubs, there is often a cry of "SOCIABLE!" upon which everyone in the bar is required to make a toast. Everyone holds their drinks up in the air and yells "SOCIABLE!" This is known all over Nova Scotia, and a recently published book on the topic of Nova Scotia pubs is actually entitled "Sociable!"

[imec]

Oh, I've never heard that ec! I love it! Maybe I'll try it next time I'm drinking Dark and Stormy's at White Point.

[Deleted]

Since I first wrote that nobody says "santé" I have heard it a few times (one's ears get tuned immediately to anything that contradicts what you think!).

[hwinpp]

I say it, but I've also heard French say it amongst themselves.

I use three, 'prost' if I'm with Germans, 'cheers' if I'm with Anglos and 'santé' if I'm with French.

[auntieannie]

My granddad favoured "Amour et Grace" (love and grace)

[bjd]

In Colombia I learned the word for toast in Spanish: brindis.

I'm trying to think what we say, but can't remember -- I think we rather toast for a specific occasion, so drink to whatever that is. Otherwise, in French company, I guess we just say "santé", making sure we look at each other.

[existentialcrisis]

imec, I don't know about white point (try it!), but definitely downtown halifax, especially any bars with live music (probably a lot of places you wouldn't want to go, i.e The Split Crow, Pogue Fado, The Ale House... happens at house parties too, or kitchen parties! lol

[imec]

Feb 6, 2010 11:04:47 GMT existentialcrisis said:

imec, I don't know about white point (try it!), but definitely downtown halifax, especially any bars with live music (probably a lot of places you wouldn't want to go, i.e The Split Crow, Pogue Fado, The Ale House... happens at house parties too, or kitchen parties! lol

Why wouldn't I want to go? They too fancy for the likes o' me? Is this your kind way of sayin' "they wouldn't let you in"? It's ok, I can take it.

[Deleted]

When I was about 6 years old, I learned a French toast that went "To women and horses and those who mount them." This provoked the most remarkable and appreciated hilarity around the table whenever I said it. I thought it was funny, but not that funny. It took a certain number of years to understand it.

[existentialcrisis]

imec, lol ... i meant you may not want to go because sometimes they feature a young crowd... the type that just left mommy and daddy. It can even be a bit much for my liking. I like the Ale House, but the Split Crow can be a little annoying... lots of university students, terrible draught, sketchy bathrooms, too many people, etc. But hey, if you're up for it! It can be a sloppy good time! SOCIABLE!!