Clinking glasses is an integral tradition of the Russian feast, immediately following the toast (not so popular in Europe and the USA). Now it is just a beautiful ceremony, symbolizing the friendship and unity of all those gathered at the table, but it was not always so. Researchers believe that choking influenced the course of history by saving the lives of monarchs.
There are three versions of the appearance of the tradition of clinking glasses:
1. Exorcism. In ancient times, people believed that their lives were controlled by deities and evil spirits. The first must be appeased, the second must be driven away. While eating, an evil spirit can enter the body through the open mouth. To prevent this from happening, you need to knock glasses. Loud ringing scares away evil spirits.
2. Knightly respect. In the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries, the knights of Charlemagne (the king of the Franks and the duke of Bavaria) during feasts brought their goblets to the center of the table, clinking glasses several times. This symbolized the unity, strength and invincibility of their brotherhood, in which everyone respects each other.
It is unlikely that the knights came up with this tradition, since they started clinking glasses much earlier. Most likely, the warriors only adopted this ritual from other peoples, endowing it with a new meaning.
3. Protection from poison. The most plausible version. Since ancient times, the struggle for power was accompanied by poisoning. Each ruler was afraid of being poisoned by a traitor from his inner circle. Most often, the poison was mixed during feasts, when, having relaxed, the victim did not follow his glass so closely.
For protection, they came up with a cunning ritual. First, the owner drank from a common large vessel. Then the contents were poured into the goblets of each feaster. Before sipping a drink, the guests gathered in a circle and hit the glasses against each other with all their might so that some of the contents splashed out and mixed in the goblets of other participants in the feast. If at least one vessel contains poison, everyone will be poisoned. In medieval France, it was customary not only to clink glasses, but also to exchange glasses. In case of refusal, the person was considered an enemy and a potential poisoner.
Commoners adopted the tradition of clinking glasses from aristocrats, not understanding its true meaning, they simply liked to be like their masters. The ceremony has taken root in European culture, even the rules of etiquette have appeared.
How to clink glasses
1. It is customary to clink glasses only with alcoholic beverages. Champagne or wine in the right glasses perfectly convey the atmosphere of the celebration.
2. A glass (glass) is brought to the level of the partner’s eyes or slightly lower; it is considered indecent to hold the glass above the head. At the moment of choking, it is advisable to look into each other’s eyes and smile.
3. It is advisable to hold the glass by the leg, so that when it comes into contact with another glass, it makes a melodic ringing. When grasping the body, a dull thud will be heard. It is indecent to stick out fingers and clink glasses with the lower edge of a glass.
4. You can’t stretch your hand across the entire table, causing inconvenience to guests and knocking over bottles, it’s better to come closer to the person or indicate a greeting with a slight raise of your hand.
5. When clinking with a woman, a guest of honor, an elderly person or a boss, a man should lower his glass a little lower. Ladies don’t hold out wine glasses first.
6. They do not clink glasses at funerals and commemorations, since this ritual is associated with the holiday.
7. During official receptions, banquets and celebrations, where guests do not know each other well, they clink glasses very rarely. It is more of a family and friendly tradition.
8. In some companies it is customary to clink glasses only after the first toast, in others – after each. There are many signs associated with choking that are difficult to explain with common sense. For example, a wife should not clink glasses with her husband, so as not to clink glasses (lose her mind). The last girl should clink glasses with a man (preferably unmarried), this will ensure her a successful marriage and financial well-being.
There are people who continue to believe in these signs. In order not to offend their feelings, it is better to find out in advance, and during the feast to observe the superstitious traditions of the company, even if you consider them nonsense.
